Vanuatu has instituted proceedings against France before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over sovereignty of Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) Islands, as well as the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
From a press release it states that the proceedings were announced on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, with Vanuatu saying the move follows decades of diplomatic engagement and formal negotiations that failed to resolve the dispute.
Deputy Prime Minister and Lead Negotiator for Maritime Boundaries, Sovereignty and Decolonisation, Johnny Koanapo, said Vanuatu maintains that the two islands belong to the people of Vanuatu and that protecting the country’s territorial integrity is fundamental to its nationhood.
“Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands have been part of Vanuatu for centuries. The islands are deeply sacred and intrinsically linked to Vanuatu’s cultural identity.”
Vanuatu says the islands were part of its territory long before colonisation.
The Government says communities in the southern islands of Aneityum, Futuna and Tanna continue to maintain bloodlines and cultural connections to the two islands, reflecting what it describes as a long-standing and living relationship.
Why Vanuatu has gone to the ICJ
According to the Government, bilateral negotiations between Vanuatu and France have continued over many years but have failed to produce a resolution.
Vanuatu says referring the dispute to the ICJ provides a legal pathway for the two countries to seek a final and internationally recognised determination.
“After formal negotiations, and several decades of diplomatic engagement with no outcome, it is clear that judicial determination offers the clearest pathway to a lasting and internationally recognised resolution.”
He said the ICJ provides an impartial legal mechanism for states to resolve disputes peacefully.
“The ICJ is the most lawful and constructive mechanism to resolve disputes between states. These proceedings will allow us to place our legal positions before an impartial tribunal and receive an authoritative determination,”“The ICJ is the most lawful and constructive mechanism to resolve disputes between states. These proceedings will allow us to place our legal positions before an impartial tribunal and receive an authoritative determination.”
Sovereignty and maritime boundaries
The case concerns not only sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) Islands, but also the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Vanuatu says resolving the sovereignty question and maritime boundaries is important to settling what it describes as an unresolved colonial legacy.
Mr Koanapo said Vanuatu was using international law to assert its position while maintaining its commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“Vanuatu stands firmly in support of the international rules-based order and the peaceful resolution of disputes through international law.”
He said seeking a determination through the ICJ was consistent with the principles of the international rules-based order supported by both Vanuatu and France.
Vanuatu calls on France to participate
The Deputy Prime Minister also called on France to participate in the ICJ proceedings.
He said France’s participation would demonstrate its stated commitment to international law and the rules-based international order.
“France is a global champion of international law, and the rules-based order. Agreeing to participate in ICJ proceedings will demonstrate their longstanding commitment to these principles.”
Vanuatu’s application asks the ICJ to recognise its position on sovereignty over the two islands and to settle the outstanding maritime boundary issue.
The Government says the proceedings represent a move from decades of unsuccessful negotiations towards a judicial process that could provide a lasting resolution to the dispute.
