Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Dispute Over Three Oil-Rich Islets Heads to International Court

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have been at odds over three islets since the 1970s. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been called upon to determine the applicable legal documents in this high-stakes dispute with major economic and strategic implications.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, two West African nations, are currently presenting their case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve a territorial dispute dating back to the 1970s. The disagreement centers around three islets—Mbanié, Cocotier, and Conga—located in a maritime zone potentially rich in hydrocarbons. This conflict is part of a broader context of energy competition, where both nations aim to solidify their regional influence by securing natural resources.

The dispute’s origins lie in a 1900 agreement between France and Spain, the colonial powers governing Gabon and Equatorial Guinea at the time. This document was intended to define maritime boundaries between the territories but soon proved insufficient. In 1974, a new agreement, known as the Bata Convention, was reportedly signed to clarify the situation, yet its validity is disputed by Equatorial Guinea. According to Malabo, the document presented by Gabon during bilateral negotiations in 2003 is merely an unauthenticated photocopy, raising doubts about its official status.

Energy and Strategic Implications

The core issue involves maritime boundary delineation, but the stakes extend well beyond territorial sovereignty. The disputed maritime zone is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves. Control over these resources could not only transform the economic prospects of both nations but also redefine their strategic position in Central Africa. Gabon, which currently occupies the islets, asserts its sovereignty based on the Bata Convention, while Equatorial Guinea accuses Libreville of illegal occupation since 1972.

Domingo Mba Esono, Equatorial Guinea’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, stated before the ICJ that Gabon has never been able to produce an original copy of the Bata Convention. For its part, Gabon maintains that, even as a copy, the document reflects a formal agreement between the two states. The court must now determine the validity of these pieces to establish the legal framework for this conflict.

A Recourse to International Justice to Prevent Escalation

Mindful of the strategic importance of the dispute, both countries chose to bring the matter to the ICJ in 2016, hoping for a peaceful resolution. By turning to international justice, they aim to avoid an escalation of tensions. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have explicitly asked the judges to rule on the legality of the contested documents, without deciding directly on the issue of sovereignty.

The hearings in The Hague mark a pivotal stage for these two West African states. Gabon, set to present its arguments in the coming days, could see its position weakened if the ICJ sides with Equatorial Guinea. Conversely, if the Bata Convention’s validity is upheld, Libreville would strengthen its control over these strategic islets.

Potential Repercussions for Regional Cooperation

The ICJ’s decision could have implications beyond maritime boundaries. If the court rules in favor of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea may be tempted to challenge other border agreements, which could reignite tensions in a region already marked by territorial disputes. Conversely, if the ICJ sides with Malabo, Gabon could be forced to relinquish the territories, impacting its energy ambitions.

Against this backdrop, both countries are seeking to minimize the risk of confrontation. Equatorial Guinea’s representatives emphasized that the priority is to reach a sustainable agreement that could serve as a basis for future cooperation, particularly in the joint exploration of oil resources. This cautious approach is crucial to preserving regional stability and attracting foreign investment in the hydrocarbon sector.

An emergency meeting led by the European Commission gathers key sectors affected by China's export restrictions on rare earths, ahead of a briefing at the European Parliament.
Manila plans to expand gas and renewable energy production to meet a 6.6% increase in electricity demand over the next two years.
Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.