Ghana wins maritime dispute with Cote d’Ivoire

• Posted on September 23, 2017September 23, 2017
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The long wait is over and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has accepted Ghana’s arguments in the maritime dispute with Ivory Coast.

Ghana argued that the equidistance rule be used in delimiting the maritime boundary between the two countries.

Whilst the tribunal rejected Ghana’s claim that Cote d’Ivoire is estopped from making a claim for the disputed territory because of prior conduct, the Chamber equally rejected Ivory Coast’s claim that a meridian measurement be used.

The tribunal accepted that the equidistance measurement be used and according to Petroleum Economist, the new boundary line determined the Tribunal “does not materially affect Ghana’s interest.”

Currently, three oil fields, the Tweneboa, Enyira and Ntome oil fields are located in the area and formed the subject matter of the maritime dispute between the two countries.

Ivory Coast was claiming it had rights to the area where Ghana has been undertaking some hydrocarbon activities.

It demanded compensation from the tribunal, arguing that Ghana violated the orders of the Tribunal in its April 25, 2015 ruling.

But the Tribunal rejected this claim, holding that Ghana did not violate the sovereign right of Cote d’Ivoire.

The Tribunal held Ivory Coast did not substantiate its allegation that Ghana acted in violation of its obligations under international law.

The judgment of the Special Chamber means that the three oil fields which hold significant deposits of hydrocarbon material are safe.

-Joynews