Vanuatu has begun a legal process against France at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the ownership of two small islands known as Matthew and Hunter. Vanuatu claims these islands have been part of its territory since it gained independence from France and the United Kingdom in 1980. However, France has stated it does not intend to relinquish sovereignty over the islands. Located about 300 kilometers from Vanuatu’s main islands and more than 400 kilometers from New Caledonia, the two uninhabited islands are each less than one square kilometer in size. Despite their small size, they are strategically important, as they contribute to France's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) — a maritime area extending up to 350,000 square kilometers where France has special rights to explore and use marine resources. Vanuatu has formally requested the ICJ to consider the case, but the court requires the consent of both parties for it to proceed. According to the court’s rules, France must accept the jurisdiction of the international judges for the dispute to be examined. Vanuatu’s request specifically addresses the issue of its sovereignty over the islands, known locally as Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter), as well as the establishment of a single maritime boundary between Vanuatu and France’s EEZ and continental shelf, particularly concerning New Caledonia. The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges in defining maritime boundaries and resolving territorial claims in the Pacific region. While the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations for resolving such disputes, the process can be lengthy and requires cooperation from both parties involved.