France and Vanuatu are currently in a legal dispute over two small, uninhabited islets—Matthew and Hunter Islands—located in the South Pacific. Vanuatu has brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a United Nations body that settles legal disputes between nations. Vanuatu is challenging France’s claim of sovereignty over the islands and is also seeking the establishment of a maritime boundary between their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves. The dispute, which was formally submitted to the ICJ on August 31, centers on the islands known in local languages as Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter), and how their surrounding waters should be divided between the two countries. The case is currently on hold pending France’s acceptance of the ICJ’s authority to hear the matter. French officials have maintained their position that they have "clear and firm" sovereignty over the islands, but they have also expressed openness to dialogue. This dual stance suggests that while France is not willing to relinquish its claims, it may be open to joint management arrangements that allow both nations to share control without fully ceding sovereignty. The dispute is part of a larger regional debate about France’s influence in the Pacific. Vanuatu has framed the issue as part of a broader movement toward decolonization, aligning itself with other Melanesian nations and supporting groups such as the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), which has historically advocated for greater autonomy for New Caledonia. The islands in question are administratively linked to New Caledonia, a French territory that has experienced political tensions and violence in recent years, which may complicate France’s strategic position in the region. Negotiations between the two countries have not yielded a resolution. Talks took place in July 2023 following a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and again in late June 2026 in Paris, but no agreement was reached. The difficulty in finding common ground may stem from the emotional and nationalist significance of the issue, even though the islands are small and uninhabited. Proposals for joint management, inspired by models such as the Antarctic Treaty or historical agreements like the Treaty of Shimoda and the framework for the Tromelin Island, could offer a way forward. These models involve shared resource use, environmental protections, and collaborative decision-making. Vanuatu has shown interest in developing fishing opportunities around the islands, which could conflict with France’s emphasis on environmental conservation. Despite these challenges, ideas such as a "peace park," proposed by former New Caledonia government president Louis Maupou, suggest potential for cooperation. While reaching an agreement remains difficult, the possibility of shared governance offers a path that could balance both nations’ interests and preserve their respective claims.