Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have jointly agreed to accept and operate by the judgement delivered by the The Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in relation to the Ghana – Côte d’Ivoire maritime dispute.
ITLOS ruled that Ghana did not violate the sovereign rights of Côte d’Ivoire with regards to the maritime boundary dispute.
Judge Boualem Bouguetaia, President of the Special Chamber on Saturday September 23, 2017 read that the court “… Unanimously, decides that the single maritime boundary for the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf within and beyond 200 nm starts at BP 55 with the coordinates 05° 05’ 23.2”N, 03° 06’ 21.2’’ W in WGS 84 as a geodetic datum and is defined by turning points A, B, C, D, E, F with the following coordinates and connected by geodetic lines:
A: 05° 01’ 03.7” N
03° 07’ 18.3” W
B: 04° 57’ 58.9” N
03° 08’ 01.4” W
C: 04° 26’ 41.6” N 03° 14’ 56.9” W
D: 03° 12’ 13.4” N 03° 29’ 54.3” W
E: 02° 59’ 04.8” N 03° 32’ 40.2” W
F: 02° 40’ 36.4” N 03° 36’ 36.4” W
“From turning point F, the single maritime boundary continues as a geodetic line starting at an azimuth of 191° 38’ 6.7’ until it reaches the outer limits of the continental shelf.
(4) Unanimously,
Finds that it has jurisdiction to decide on the claim of Côte d’Ivoire against Ghana on the alleged international responsibility of Ghana.
(5) Unanimously,
Finds that Ghana did not violate the sovereign rights of Côte d’Ivoire.
(6) Unanimously,
Finds that Ghana did not violate article 83, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention.181
(7) Unanimously,
Finds that Ghana did not violate the provisional measures prescribed by the Special Chamber in its Order of 25 April 2015”.
Shortly after the ruling, Agent for the Republic of Ghana who is the Attorney-General & Minister for Justice Gloria Akuffo and his Adama Toungara Agent for the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire jointly issued a statement indicating that: ”Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana accept the decision, in accordance with the Statute of ITLOS”.
Additionally, the statement said: “Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana seize the opportunity to reiterate the mutual commitment of the two countries to abide by the terms of this decision from the Special Chamber and to fully collaborate for its implementation”.
Below is a copy of the full statement:
JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF COTE D’IVOIRE AND GHANA FOLLOWING THE DECISION FROM THE SPECIAL CHAMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL OF THE LAW OF THE SEA (ITLOS)
The Special Chamber of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), constituted on 3rdDecember 2014 to delimit the maritime boundary between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana in the Atlantic Ocean, just rendered its decision this Saturday 23rd September 2017.
On the joint behalf of the Presidents and the Peoples of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and the Republic of Ghana, I would, like to express our gratitude to the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the courteous attention with which the proceedings were conducted.
Our two countries would also like to commend the Registrar of the Tribunal and his team for the admirable efficiency with which the case has been managed, resulting in an expeditious hearing to the mutual benefit of both parties. We are united in the expression of our gratitude to the Special Chamber.
Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana accept the decision, in accordance with the Statute of ITLOS.
Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana seize the opportunity to reiterate the mutual commitment of the two countries to abide by the terms of this decision from the Special Chamber and to fully collaborate for its implementation.
The two countries affirm the strong will to work together to strengthen and intensify their brotherly relationships of cooperation and good neighbourliness.
Long live Cote d’Ivoire!
Long live Ghana!
Hamburg, 23rd September 2017
GLORIA AFUA AKUFFO (MISS)
Agent for the Republic of Ghana
Attorney-General & Minister for Justice
ADAMA TOUNGARA
Agent for the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
Minister
Adviser to the President
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
