A leading United Nations court has granted Equatorial Guinea sovereignty over three small islands in the Gulf of Guinea, resolving a prolonged territorial dispute with Gabon. The islands are situated in waters believed to be rich in oil reserves.
The International Court of Justice has ruled in favor of Equatorial Guinea in its territorial dispute with Gabon over the Mbanie, Cocotiers, and Conga islands—mostly uninhabited and located off Gabon’s Atlantic coast. In a 13-2 majority decision, the court affirmed that legal sovereignty lies with Equatorial Guinea, referencing a 1968 Spanish title passed on to the country.
The ruling comes as both nations rework their oil strategies. Gabon has increased state control over its energy sector, acquiring assets from Carlyle Group and Tullow Oil following a 2023 military coup. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea is positioning itself as a regional hub for hydrocarbon infrastructure, despite declining reserves after decades of production that have supported President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s long rule.
