Vanuatu pushes France to accept ICJ jurisdiction in Pacific islands dispute
Summary
Vanuatu has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to decide on who owns two small Pacific islands currently controlled by France. The ICJ will only consider the case if France agrees to its authority, and France has not yet given that consent.Key Facts
- Vanuatu filed a case at the ICJ regarding sovereignty over Matthew Island and Hunter Island.
- These islands are small, volcanic, and uninhabited, located near New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
- The issue stems from colonial history, with Vanuatu seeking full decolonization by gaining control of the islands.
- France has not accepted the ICJ’s compulsory jurisdiction, so the court cannot proceed without French approval.
- The islands matter because owning them affects rights to nearby waters, fishing, and seabed resources.
- France and Vanuatu previously held negotiations in 2018, 2019, and 2025, but talks have stalled.
- Far-right groups in France criticize President Emmanuel Macron's government over this dispute.
- The ICJ often handles disputes between states about land and maritime boundaries.
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