DISPUTE OVER MATTHEW AND HUNTER ISLANDS
Sovereignty Clash in the Pacific
At the center of a sovereignty dispute between France and Vanuatu, the remote Matthew and Hunter Islands—located 300 km east of New Caledonia—hold deep cultural, economic, and strategic significance.
Cultural and Sacred Significance
For the communities of Vanuatu's Tafea Province, these are not ordinary islands. They are sacred, believed to be the dwelling place of a god.
"On the Tafea island groups, there is a god that looks after them and the god resides on those islands," said Tony Tevi, acting director of Vanuatu's Department of Oceans.
A 2011 UN report formally recognized the islands as places of worship and ritual for these communities.
Competing Claims
France claims the islands as part of New Caledonia, reinforcing its position in 1975 with the installation of sovereignty plaques. However, the Kanak people of New Caledonia have no historical ties to the islands—unlike Vanuatu's communities, who share a geological and cultural connection. Matthew and Hunter are volcanic islands, geologically similar to Vanuatu's Tafea Province, forming a striking contrast to the rest of New Caledonia.
Vanuatu has sought sovereignty since gaining independence in 1980. In 2009, New Caledonia's Kanak and Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS) signed an agreement recognizing Vanuatu's claim.
Political Fallout
The dispute has deepened political divisions within New Caledonia. The pro-independence president publicly backed Vanuatu's claim, prompting the pro-France government to suspend trade ties with Vanuatu.
Vanuatu's prime minister has accused France of delaying talks. A second round of negotiations is expected in Paris later this month.
What is at Stake?
Ownership confers rights to an exclusive economic zone of approximately 350,000 square kilometers, granting control over fisheries, minerals, and military positioning.
Former Vanuatu prime minister Sato Kilman stated that ownership would provide major economic benefits for the nation.
University of Paris-Saclay law professor Géraldine Giraudeau noted that the islands give France the largest exclusive economic zone globally. She warned that any concession would be politically sensitive, adding: "The dispute needs resolution within 12 months before French elections in 2027, as a right-wing government would likely not negotiate."
Outlook
Experts say France is unlikely to cede the islands due to their strategic and economic value.
Mr. Tevi expressed hope that France would recognize Vanuatu's legal and cultural claims. Further negotiations are scheduled in Paris. Vanuatu has not ruled out taking the matter to the International Court of Justice but prefers a negotiated settlement.