GHANA and Cote d’Ivoire have agreed to conduct regular joint maritime inspections along their shared international boundary, reinforcing their commitment to uphold the 2017 ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). This new agreement aims to ensure compliance with the boundary decision and strengthen cooperation between the two West African neighbours.
Agreement to safeguard offshore resources
According to a report by RFI’s Michael Sarpong Mfum and sourced from the Ghana Boundary Commission, both countries will collaborate on joint patrols to prevent unauthorised offshore activities and protect valuable marine resources. The initiative is designed to regulate offshore oil exploration in the Gulf of Guinea and mitigate any potential territorial disputes that could arise in the future.
The agreement was formalised during a bilateral meeting in Accra, where representatives from both nations gathered to outline the implementation of the ITLOS ruling. The discussions were supported by the German Development Agency (GIZ), the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
A landmark ITLOS ruling sets the framework
The cooperation between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire stems from the landmark ruling delivered by ITLOS on 23rd September 2017. The tribunal resolved a maritime boundary dispute over offshore areas believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits. While Cote d’Ivoire argued that Ghana had infringed on its maritime rights, ITLOS ruled in favour of Ghana, using the equidistance method to demarcate the boundary. Both countries accepted the verdict peacefully, maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
Major General Emmanuel Kotia, Director-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), confirmed that both countries’ navies will now jointly patrol the maritime boundary. He emphasised that this cooperation marks a significant departure from past practices, where Ghana conducted inspections independently.
Formalising a roadmap for cooperation
The Accra meeting, attended by 36 officials from both nations, established a roadmap for completing the reaffirmation of their international maritime boundary by 2025. Major General Kotia stated that the framework agreement will soon be validated and signed by both nations’ foreign affairs ministries, paving the way for strategic and operational cooperation on both land and sea boundaries.
‘Once we have validated this framework agreement, we can collaborate strategically and operationally regarding both land and maritime borders,’ Kotia explained. He also confirmed that delegations from both nations will submit official maps reflecting the ITLOS ruling to the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) on 27th April 2025.
Commitment to lasting bilateral cooperation
Konate Diakalidia, Executive Secretary of the Cote d’Ivoire Boundary Commission (CNFCI), reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the process.
‘This meeting has successfully expedited the reaffirmation exercise and allowed us to devise strategies for full implementation of the ITLOS ruling, ensuring neither country trespasses,’ he said.
The joint inspections are a crucial step in preserving maritime security and protecting economic interests for both nations. Officials hope this collaboration will prevent future conflicts and foster sustainable development in the Gulf of Guinea region. (Africabriefing)
