Secretary-General Voices Hope that Peaceful Settlement of Equatorial Guinea-Gabon Border Dispute Will Inspire Other Nations with Similar Challenges

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General hosted today a signing ceremony on the margins of the twenty-second Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco, with the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba.  The ceremony marked the successful conclusion of the United Nations mediation, which started in 2008, that aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution of the border dispute between the two countries for submission to the International Court of Justice.

The Secretary-General commended the two parties for demonstrating political leadership, courage and wisdom in reaching this historic agreement, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter.  He also thanked the parties for the excellent cooperation extended to his lead official for the dispute, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, as well as to his predecessor, Nicolas Michel.

The Secretary-General expressed hope that the settlement of this long‑standing border dispute would be a source of inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges, by demonstrating that the path to a legal and peaceful settlement in conformity with law and justice is available and achievable.

The Secretary-General encouraged President Obiang and President Bongo Ondimba to continue to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assist in the promotion of regional peace and stability, notably through the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville.