France, New Caledonia open talks to break political deadlock after deadly unrest
The talks are aimed at crafting a shared vision for the archipelago's future – one that might, finally, bridge the divide between the Indigenous Kanak population and the descendants of French settlers.
The meeting itself marks a modest victory for Prime Minister François Bayrou, who, upon his appointment last December, made the overseas territories one of his priorities.
Just over a year ago, severe unrest erupted in New Caledonia after the French parliament proposed a constitutional revision of the territory's electoral roll. The archipelago's pro-independence groups saw the move as undermining their political weight.
The violence left 14 dead, including 11 Kanaks, and caused an estimated €2 billion in damage. The proposal Talks resumed in early 2025 at the initiative of Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, but the two camps remain far apart. The French government's current proposal, floated in May, suggests a form of "sovereignty" for the archipelago, but "with France."
Defence, justice, security, and currency matters could be transferred to the New Caledonian government and then immediately 'delegated' to France. The archipelago would receive international recognition, and its citizens could benefit from dual nationality: French and, by right, New Caledonian.
This proposal now constitutes a 'working basis' for the independence-seeking Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), but with the aim of 'completing the decolonisation process of the country," explained MP Emmanuel Tjibaou.
It is, however, entirely rejected by loyalists – descendants of convicts and French settlers — who advocate a 'federal' project to strengthen the powers of New Caledonia's three provinces, particularly those of the Southern Province, where they are in the majority.
"Some of our fellow citizens do not like us and want us gone. (...) They confine us to their past and do not allow us to move forward,' said MP Nicolas Metzdorf last week, a member of President Macron's Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group in the French parliament.
Despite their opposing views, both MPs worked together to produce a parliamentary report on the situation in New Caledonia, which Metzdorf says has helped 're-establish a dynamic of exchange, meetings, and dialogue." A long road A French penal colony from the mid-19th century, New Caledonia began a lengthy decolonisation process with the Matignon Agreements (1988) and the Nouméa Accord (1998), which granted it a special territorial status. This arrangement included the gradual transfer of powers from the French government to the archipelago and the scheduling of referendums on self-determination.
Three referendums were ultimately held, open to citizens originally from mainland France but long-term and continuous residents in New Caledonia. The first two votes (2018 and 2020) rejected independence. The third (2021) was boycotted by pro-independence parties, who called for its postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, the political situation has remained deadlocked – until Paris last year opened up the right to vote in local elections to all French citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for over 10 years.
Decided without consultation with local communities, this 'unfreezing' of the electoral roll ignited tensions in a particularly strained social climate. What lies ahead? For Macron, it is now urgent to devise a 'new project." In the coming days, the immediate priority will be resolving the issue of the electoral roll, with provincial elections due to take place by 30 November at the latest, while the parties in the French government appear divided on how to respond to the various stakeholders.
Laurent Wauquiez, president of the right-wing Les Républicains (LR) group, made it clear that 'the future of New Caledonia lies within France," warning that his party would leave the government if any agreement leading to the archipelago's independence were adopted – a direct contradiction of the proposals made just a month ago by the overseas minister.
Parallel to the negotiations on New Caledonia's political status, talks are also expected to take place regarding economic recovery. In August 2025, the emblematic Koniambo Nickel SAS (KNS) nickel plant permanently closed, resulting in over 1,000 job losses and further weakening the archipelago's social fabric.
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