New Caledonia separatists reject agreement with France
The separatists of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) announced on Wednesday that they have rejected a recent agreement they signed with French officials on a new status for the territory.
French Minister of the Overseas Manuel Valls has announced that he will travel to New Caledonia next week for consultations.
In mid-July, after years of failed negotiations, the government in Paris and loyalists and separatists from New Caledonia reached a deal.
This provides for a separate state for New Caledonia - but within the French state.
Under the deal, there would also be a New Caledonian nationality, and local officials would be given more powers.
But security, defence and justice would continue to be controlled by officials in Paris.
Valls described the agreement at the time as "historic".
Representatives of the separatists signed it but did not consider that to be a binding commitment.
After internal consultations, the separatists have now rejected the deal and say it does not further their goal of independence.
It is unclear whether Valls will be able to change the separatists' minds.
Last year, 14 people died in serious unrest in New Caledonia over a controversial electoral reform.
The territory is important to France for geopolitical and military reasons and because of its nickel deposits.
France took possession of it in 1852.
It now has a population of about 270,000 and gained extensive autonomy under the 1998 Nouméa Accord.
In three referendums, held in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the inhabitants of the islands voted to remain part of France.
The independence movement boycotted the last vote and does not accept the result.
The Kanak people, New Caledonia's indigenous population, have long hoped for their own state.
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