Maritime Disputes and Disputed Seabed Resources in the African Continent

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of some of the most significant maritime boundary disputes in Africa, both past and ongoing, and the interplay between these disputes and the exploration and exploitation of seabed resources. It discusses how the exploration and exploitation of disputed seabed resources have fueled maritime disputes and how African States have attempted to resolve their differences. Particular focus is paid to cases where the disputing parties were able to sidestep their disagreements over maritime entitlements and boundary delimitation by agreeing to a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) providing for joint exploration and development of seabed resources in the areas of overlap.

Keywords: Maritime Boundary Delimitation, UNCLOS, Joint Development, Oil&Gas, Africa