evidence: The tiny island of Mbanié, located off Gabon’s coast, has become the focal point of a legal dispute between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, currently being adjudicated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Both countries claim ownership of the 74-acre island and its smaller islets, believed to harbor significant oil resources. Equatorial Guinea urged the court’s judges to dismiss Gabon’s claims, arguing its position is supported by a 1900 border treaty with Spain. Meanwhile, Gabon cites the 1974 Bata Convention to back its own claim. Represented by teams of legal experts, both nations are contesting which legal documents should guide the court’s decision. The dispute dates back to the early 1970s when Gabon asserted military control over the island after a military confrontation. Following years of UN mediation, both countries agreed in 2016 to let the ICJ resolve the matter, with a binding ruling expected next year.