Vanuatu Turns to ICJ for Sovereignty Over Pacific Islands Held by France
Vanuatu has filed an ICJ case seeking sovereignty over the uninhabited Matthew Island (Umaenupne) and Hunter Island (Umaeneg), challenging France’s control as a relic of colonial rule. The ICJ cannot proceed without France’s consent to its jurisdiction, so the case will hinge on Paris’s acceptance. Negotiations have stalled since 2025, and the dispute is tied to broader debates about France’s Pacific colonial legacy and the potential implications for surrounding waters and seabed resources.