Amanze Chinonye
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have formally ended a territorial dispute that strained relations between the two Central African neighbours for more than five decades by signing an agreement to implement a binding ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which awarded sovereignty over three disputed islands to Equatorial Guinea, Prime Business Africa reports.
The Joint Engagement Agreement was signed on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, one year after the ICJ ruled in favour of Malabo. The accord commits both countries to the peaceful implementation of the court’s judgment and provides a framework for resolving the dispute in accordance with international law.
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Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simeón Oyono Esono Angue, and the President of Gabon’s Constitutional Council, Dieudonné Aba’a Owono, signed the agreement in the presence of African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
At the centre of the dispute were Mbanié Island, which spans about 30 hectares, and the smaller Cocotiers and Conga islets in Corisco Bay, a maritime area in the Gulf of Guinea believed to hold significant offshore oil and gas reserves.
The dispute, which dates back to the early 1970s after Gabon occupied Mbanié Island, had long complicated bilateral relations and delayed efforts to explore and develop hydrocarbon resources in the surrounding waters.
In its landmark judgment, the ICJ ruled that the 1900 Franco-Spanish Treaty is the valid legal instrument establishing sovereignty over Mbanié, Cocotiers and Conga. The court also dismissed Gabon’s reliance on the purported 1974 Bata Convention, finding insufficient evidence that it had ever become a legally binding treaty between the two countries.
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Describing the agreement as the definitive resolution of the dispute, Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Simeón Oyono Esono Angue, declared, “This matter has been definitively settled,” and urged both countries to “move forward.” Gabon’s representative hailed the accord as the beginning of “a new era of cooperation” between Libreville and Malabo.
The African Union welcomed the agreement, describing it as a major step towards implementing the ICJ’s judgment and a demonstration of both countries’ commitment to dialogue, good neighbourliness and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
While the agreement settles the question of sovereignty over the disputed islands, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are expected to continue negotiations on maritime boundary delimitation, which will determine rights to potentially lucrative offshore oil and gas resources.
The breakthrough is expected to strengthen bilateral relations, enhance regional stability and boost investor confidence in energy exploration across the Gulf of Guinea.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
