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Theunification of Saint Martin (Dutch:Eenwording van Sint Maarten;French:Unification de Saint-Martin) is the proposed unification of the small island ofSaint Martin, located in theCaribbean Sea. Currently, it is divided intoSint Maarten (the southern portion of the island, one of the constituent countries within theKingdom of the Netherlands) and theCollectivity of Saint Martin (the northern portion of the island, an integral part ofFrance). The island has been divided since the signing of theTreaty of Concordia in 1648, which today remains as one of the oldest treaties still in effect.[1][2]
The Treaty of Concordia allowsfreedom of movement between both parts of the island, which has promoted a common sentiment among the island's inhabitants, although this is also the reason why some see a formal unification as unnecessary. Other arguments against unification of the island are that neither France nor the Netherlands would allow it and that both sides would require full independence to achieve it.[1]
On 31 August 1990, the "Unity Flag" of Saint Martin was adopted at the Preliminary Conference on National Symbols at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, in Sint Maarten. This flag was created to represent the people of both halves of the island and the unification of the latter, and could be seen before officialization hoisted on some houses and sometimes by churches and religious groups in the island of Saint Martin.[3] In August 2020, when restrictions and controls were added to theSaint Martin–Sint Maarten border to contain theCOVID-19 pandemic, some protesters against these measures flew this flag with them.[4] In September 2020, these restrictions were lifted, and people from both sides of the island started chanting "One island, one people, one destiny".[5]
The Unity Flag was officially adopted by the authorities of both halves of the island in a ceremony held inPhilipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten, on 8 November 2022, in presence of thePrime Minister of Sint Maarten,Silveria Jacobs, and the President of theTerritorial Council of Saint Martin,Louis Mussington.[6] The flag is now raised every 11 November, onSt. Martin's Day, on both halves of Saint Martin.[7]
Notable supporters of the movement for uniting the island include Albert Fleming, former leader of the Collectivity of Saint Martin, who in 2014 stated his support for the unification of the island.[8]