international1 month ago
Vanuatu Files ICJ Case Against France Over Matthew and Hunter Islands
Vanuatu has formally requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on sovereignty over the uninhabited volcanic islands of Matthew and Hunter, currently controlled by France. The dispute, rooted in colonial-era agreements, has stalled in bilateral negotiations, prompting Vanuatu to seek international legal resolution. France has not yet consented to the court's jurisdiction, meaning proceedings cannot begin until Paris agrees. The case has become a political flashpoint in France, with far-right figures accusing the government of ceding territory, while Paris maintains it will not surrender sovereignty.