A recent statement by Vanuatu Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat during the nation’s 45th Independence Anniversary celebrations has raised diplomatic concerns, as his declaration regarding the return of the contested southern islands Umaenupne (Matthew) and Leka (Hunter) appears to misrepresent the current status of negotiations with France.
In his July 30 address, PM Napat told the public: “I am very pleased to announce to the people of Vanuatu, as we mark this 45th anniversary of independence, that soon we will reconnect with the two southern islands, Umaenupne and Leka, also known as Matthew and Hunter. This is a very important outcome of the meeting that the Deputy Prime Minister and I had with Emmanuel Macron in Paris. These two islands are being returned to us (in Bislama: tufala island ia i stap kam bak).”
While this statement was welcomed domestically, it contrasts with the ongoing nature of negotiations, as outlined in a Joint Communiqué released by both France and Vanuatu following the PM's working visit to Paris on July 23. The communiqué noted a shared commitment to “maintaining an open, transparent, and constructive dialogue” on both maritime boundary delimitation and the sovereignty of the islands, with formal negotiations scheduled to begin in Port Vila this autumn.
The Joint Communiqué further noted: “The two leaders agreed that the first round of renewed negotiations will be held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, this autumn, and that a second round will take place in France before the end of the year.”
Contrary to a finalised agreement, the communiqué confirms that discussions remain ongoing and no formal resolution on sovereignty has yet been reached.
In another part of his speech, PM Napat appeared to recognise the provisional nature of the discussions: “I also thank President Macron and the French government, who agreed to allow the process to begin and gave us until the end of this year to settle our maritime borders and these two islands, which, as we all know, belong to us.”
To clarify the PM's comments, his Public Relations Officer, Kiery Manassah, told the Vanuatu Daily Post: “The Prime Minister meant that the islands are coming back. We are negotiating the terms and various rights of sovereignty.”
This clarification indicates the statement was intended to reflect optimism about the outcome of the negotiations rather than indicate a concluded agreement.
Diplomatic analysts cautioned that making public declarations of sovereignty before the conclusion of formal negotiations may undermine mutual trust and the spirit of cooperation guiding the dialogue. Such statements could complicate the sensitive diplomatic process currently underway between Vanuatu and France.
The disputed islands, located in the southern maritime region between Vanuatu and New Caledonia (a French overseas territory), have long been a sensitive issue between the two nations. Vanuatu claims sovereignty based on historical and geographic grounds, while France currently administers the islands.
Negotiations on maritime boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), which include the islands in question, were previously held in 2018 and 2019. The current renewed dialogue was initiated after President Macron’s 2023 visit to Port Vila and has been framed by both sides as a way to promote regional cooperation, stability, and new opportunities for partnership.
terence@dailypost.vu
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