Law over Land: Assessing the International Court of Justice’s Effectiveness in Territorial Conflict Resolution

Abstract

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, plays a vital role in the peaceful settlement of territorial disputes between sovereign states. Territorial conflicts, often rooted in historical, colonial, and geopolitical complexities, threaten international peace and security. The ICJ provides a legal framework for resolving such disputes through impartial adjudication based on international law, treaties, and customary principles. This study examines the Court’s jurisprudence in key cases such as Burkina Faso v. Mali (1986), Qatar v. Bahrain (2001), and Nicaragua v. Colombia (2012), highlighting how doctrines like uti possidetis juris and effectives guide its reasoning. The research evaluates the Court’s effectiveness in promoting compliance, reducing conflicts, and shaping the norms of territorial sovereignty. Despite limitations arising from the voluntary nature of its jurisdiction and lack of enforcement mechanisms, the ICJ has strengthened the global commitment to resolving disputes through law rather than coercion. Ultimately, the ICJ’s contribution lies in fostering a rule-based international order, ensuring stability, and reinforcing the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for sovereignty in global governance.

Keywords: International Court of Justice (ICJ);Territorial Disputes; Sovereignty; International; Law ;Peaceful Settlement; State Compliance ;Boundary Delimitation