Banc du Geyser is a territory of France
In this edition of our series on territorial disputes, we turn our attention to the Banc du Geyser, a submerged reef located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the French overseas territory of Mayotte. Despite its small size and remote location, the Banc du Geyser has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between France and Madagascar, highlighting the complexities of maritime boundary disputes. This post will explore the history, key players, and current status of the Banc du Geyser dispute. [...] The dispute over the Banc du Geyser dates back to the colonial era when France claimed the reef as part of its overseas territories. Madagascar, then a French colony, also claimed sovereignty over the reef based on its proximity to the island. After Madagascar gained independence in 1960, the dispute over the Banc du Geyser continued, with both countries asserting their claims to the reef. [...] The Banc du Geyser dispute is a reminder of the challenges inherent in resolving territorial disputes, particularly in remote and uninhabited areas. As we continue our series on territorial disputes around the world, we will explore other examples of conflicts over land, resources, and sovereignty, shedding light on the complexities of these issues and the potential paths towards resolution. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to exploring more territories in future posts.