New Caledonia's pro-independence coalition meets to criticise Bougival Accord
New Caledonia's main independence coalition FLNKS holds extraordinary Congress meeting to debate the new agreement struck with France on the territory's political future.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele defends move to block almost two dozen nations from a critical Pacific meeting in Honiara next month.
Timor Leste edges closer to full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
New Zealand's foreign minister proposes a bill to make 'New Zealand' the official name of the country.
Samoa secures hosting rights for the Weightlifting World Cup.
And we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VP day, otherwise known as victory in the Pacific.
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News.com.au
20 hours ago
- News.com.au
New warning for Aussies travelling to New Caledonia
The Australian government has updated its advice for travel to New Caledonia. It has warned Aussies to 'exercise a high degree of caution' following continued civil unrest. 'There's still a high police and security presence in country,' the government's travel advisory service, Smartraveller said on Wednesday. 'Isolated security incidents may occur across the territory. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.' It also explained authorities may impose restrictions, including curfews, at short notice. 'Security incidents, including arson, continue across the country. Political demonstrations and protests may turn violent at short notice.' The warning comes more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. In May 2024, rioting and looting erupted in New Caledonia over an electoral reform plan that Indigenous Kanak people feared would leave them in a permanent minority, putting independence hopes definitively out of reach. The unrest left nine dead and damage estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros (AU$2.46 billion). More recently, the separatists of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) announced on Wednesday they have rejected a recent agreement they signed with French officials on a new status for the territory. Signed on July 12 under the guidance of the French Overseas Minister, Manuel Valls, the Bougival text outlines the transfer of limited sovereign powers including currency, justice and policing to a New Caledonian state. While it provides for a separate state for New Caledonia (within the French state), nationality, and local officials given more powers, things like security, defence and justice would continue to be controlled by officials in Paris. The absence of a new independence referendum – a core demand for many Kanaky activists – has proven to be a deal-breaker, according to local reports. Mr Valls announced that he will travel to New Caledonia next week for consultations.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Pacific Islands Forum officially locks partners and donor governments out of leaders summit
On the program today Critics and democracy advocates in Tonga have slam a controversial law to bring Tonga's foreign relations back under control of the King. Researchers warn the dengue outbreak in the Pacific will only get worse, as climate change fuels mosquito numbers. A viral video capturing a young woman being physically abused by a mob of male students on campus at the University of Technology in Lae sparks fierce online debate. In New Caledonia, pro-independence parties reject the Bougival Accord - a proposed framework aimed at restarting dialogue on the territory's political future. A 19-year-old Australian tourist is set to face court today in Cook Islands after being charged with making a false declaration. Australia and the Pacific commemorates the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. And the wait is over for the Marshall Islands, who will step on the field today for their first ever soccer match.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Urgent warning for Aussies heading to holiday hotspot
Aussie travellers have been put on high alert when visiting New Caledonia. The 'risk of civil disorder and violence' was released by Smartraveller on Wednesday, more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 'We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in New Caledonia. 'There's still a high police and security presence in the country. Isolated security incidents may occur across the territory.' It comes as a dispute over the political future coming to a head in the Pacific archipelago, which France took possession of in 1852. 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. Australian travellers to New Caledonia have been warned to exercise high levels of caution in response to political unrest. Credit: Google Maps 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. 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. Smartraveller has warned Australians that 'political tensions and unrest may increase at short notice'. 'Security incidents, including arson, continue across the country. Political demonstrations and protests may turn violent at short notice. Some essential services, including healthcare, are affected.'
