Vanuatu pushes France to accept ICJ jurisdiction in Pacific islands dispute

Vanuatu says French control of islands is a relic of colonial past, as France’s far right uses case as a political weapon.Published On 1 Sep 20261 Sep 2026The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu has filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking sovereignty over two small Pacific islands controlled by France.The Hague-based court said in a statement on Tuesday that Vanuatu’s application concerns sovereignty over Umaenupne, also known as Matthew Island, and Umaeneg/Leka, or Hunter Island.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Australia, PNG delay defence pact as China’s rise in Pacific region loomslist 2 of 3First treaty to protect marine life in high seas to take effect in Januarylist 3 of 3Australia, Papua New Guinea sign mutual defence treatyend of listThe case seeks closure on a decades-old territorial dispute rooted in the region’s colonial history. Far-right parties in France are seeking to use the case as a political weapon.The ICJ, also known as the World Court, will not immediately take up the case because France has not accepted the court’s compulsory jurisdiction over disputes with other states.Vanuatu’s application has been sent to Paris t...