# Gabon–Equatorial Guinea border dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gabonequatorial-guinea-border-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-25T15:08:06.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

On 28 July 2026, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea signed a General Competence Agreement in Addis Ababa to implement the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) 19 May 2025 judgment regarding land, maritime, and island disputes involving Mbanié, Conga, and Cocotiers. The agreement was signed by Equatorial Guinea’s foreign minister Siméon Oyono Esono Angue and Gabon’s constitutional court president Dieudonné Aba’a Owono.

However, on 30 July 2026, Gabon suspended participation in the bilateral talks intended to operationalize the deal. Gabonese foreign ministry spokesperson Marie-Noëlle Ada Meyo stated that Malabo had misrepresented the agreement as a step toward executing a favorable ICJ decision. Gabon maintained that the document was intended only to establish a framework for dialogue and did not constitute a territorial concession, specifically regarding Mbanié island.

By 25 August 2026, Gabonese Foreign Minister Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny reiterated that the joint engagement agreement, signed under the auspices of the African Union, establishes a practical working method for the progressive implementation of the ICJ ruling and does not constitute a renunciation of Gabonese territory.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: African nations strengthen diplomatic and judicial coordination

DRC officials are enhancing judicial-diplomatic coordination, while Gabon receives a joint agreement with Equatorial Guinea to implement an International Court of Justice ruling on island sovereignty.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/african-nations-strengthen-diplomatic-and-judicial-coordination

### 2026-07-30: Gabon suspends talks with Equatorial Guinea over Mbanié island dispute

Gabon halted AU‑mediated talks with Equatorial Guinea over the Mbanié island dispute, accusing Malabo of misrepresenting the ICJ ruling and the joint agreement’s purpose.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gabon-suspends-talks-with-equatorial-guinea-over-mbani-island-dispute

### 2026-07-28: Gabon Signs Border Deal with Equatorial Guinea, Begins Agenda 2063 Mission

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement to implement the ICJ’s 2025 border ruling, while Gabon launched a July 27‑31 mission to domesticate the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development plan.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gabon-signs-border-deal-with-equatorial-guinea-begins-agenda-2063-mission

---
Cite as: Gabon–Equatorial Guinea border dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gabonequatorial-guinea-border-dispute