Equatorial Guinea has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to dismiss Gabon’s claim over several disputed islands in potentially oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. The islands in question, including the tiny Mbanié Island—less than a kilometre long—are at the centre of the decades-old dispute between the two neighbouring oil-producing nations.
A longstanding dispute rekindled by oil prospects
The dispute over Mbanié Island dates back to 1972 when Gabon’s army expelled Equatorial Guinea’s forces and established a military presence on the virtually uninhabited 74-acre island. The conflict remained dormant for years, until the early 2000s, when the potential discovery of oil in the Gulf reignited interest in the territory.
In 2016, after years of United Nations-led mediation, both nations agreed to let the ICJ, also known as the World Court, settle the dispute. Equatorial Guinea bases its claim on a 1900 colonial-era convention between the French and Spanish, while Gabon argues for the validity of a 1974 agreement—though Equatorial Guinea claims the document Gabon presented as proof is unsigned and unauthenticated.
Court hearings and international stakes
Hearings at the ICJ are expected to continue throughout the week, with Gabon presenting its case on Wednesday. The court’s final and binding ruling is anticipated next year.
Speaking at the ICJ on Monday, Equatorial Guinea’s representative Domingo Mba Esono said, ‘Gabon’s position is factually and legally untenable.’ The outcome of the case holds significant stakes for both nations, as the waters around the contested islands are believed to be rich in oil.
This international legal battle underscores the ongoing struggle over territorial claims in resource-rich areas of Africa, where historical colonial borders continue to pose challenges for modern-day governance and economic opportunities.
