Vanuatu moves against France at ICJ over 2 Pacific islands

“Vanuatu has instituted proceedings against France before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) Islands and delimitation of a maritime boundary between Vanuatu and New Caledonia,” the Prime Minister’s Office of the island nation said in a statement Wednesday.

The Hague-based ICJ confirmed Vanuatu filed an application before it early this week on Monday relating to a dispute over islands, as well as “concerning the establishment of a single maritime boundary between the exclusive economic zones and continental shelf of Vanuatu and France (with respect to New Caledonia).”

New Caledonia became a French colony in 1853.

In its application to the ICJ, Vanuatu affirms that the islands “have always been part of Vanuatu long before colonization,” said the prime minister’s office.

The island nation’s Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo said: “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 recognized resolution.”

Koanapo, also Vanuatu’s lead negotiator for maritime boundaries, sovereignty, and decolonization, said the islands “belong to the people of Vanuatu, and that the protection of Vanuatu’s territorial integrity is fundamental to Vanuatu’s nationhood.”

“The ICJ is the most lawful and constructive mechanism to resolve disputes between states. … (And) 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,” he said.

According to the statement, bilateral negotiations with France “failed to resolve this dispute, despite sustained efforts from both sides.”

“Referring this issue to the ICJ is wholly consistent with the international rules-based order and principles Vanuatu and France support,” it added.

The ICJ said the application by Vanuatu has been transmitted to France.

“No action will be taken in the proceedings unless and until France consents to the Court’s (ICJ) jurisdiction in the case,” it said.