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LeMonde
a day ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
New Caledonia: Agreement on French overseas territory's future returns to the drawing board
The proposed agreement on the future of the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, which was signed on July 12 in the western Paris region town of Bougival by the French overseas territories minister, Manuel Valls, and representatives from the territory's six pro and anti-independence delegations, bears the subtitle "A Bet on Trust." That bet, which was too quickly celebrated as a success, now appears to have been lost, after the congress of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS, with Kanak being the Indigenous people of New Caledonia) decided, in a statement that was made public on Wednesday, August 13, to reject the compromise agreement. Emmanuel Tjibaou, a French MP and president of the Union Calédonienne, the main component of the FLNKS, did sign the draft agreement in Bougival. But the text was swiftly challenged by the group's activists and rejected by FLNKS President Christian Tein ahead of the organization's vote to reject it. Just over a year after riots, which left 14 people dead and plunged New Caledonia into chaos, broke out on May 13, 2024, the French Pacific Ocean territory's future once again hangs in the balance. Painstakingly negotiated, the Bougival draft agreement is based on an unprecedented legal framework: It involves the creation within the French Republic of a "State of New Caledonia," enshrined in the Constitution, as well as a "Caledonian nationality," which would be inseparable from French nationality. This would be a transitional step, preceding the full sovereignty sought by the pro-independence movement. Complicated equation A transfer of sovereign powers – limited for the time being to international relations – is envisioned for the future, but subject to a vote by a difficult-to-achieve majority of more than 60% of the Congress of New Caledonia. This condition is seen as far from respecting the right to self-determination, which France has recognized, as the FLNKS interprets it. The draft agreement also calls for a revision of the way Congress seats are distributed, favoring the South Province, which has an anti-independence majority. The rejection of the Bougival agreement represents a setback for the government. After it was signed, President Emmanuel Macron declared that New Caledonia was "opening a new chapter in its future," and Minister Valls praised signing it as "the choice of courage and responsibility." The FLNKS's decision must not spell the end of dialogue. Valls called the decision "incomprehensible" and is maintaining a trip to New Caledonia he planned for the week of August 18, in which he is due to "examine the agreement" and "establish the drafting committee" for the final deal. But he cannot act as if one of his key negotiating partners had not formally rejected it. The agreement must be taken back to the drawing board. No one can forget that the 2024 riots were sparked by an attempt to push through a bill revising the electoral roll that had not been negotiated. Already complicated by the weight of colonial history and differing perceptions of time among various population groups, the New Caledonian situation has been further compounded by the connection made between signing the agreement and Paris's funding for the territory's reconstruction, after it was devastated by the riots. For Macron, who has often condemned France's colonial past but says he is determined to maintain France's place in the Pacific, the challenge is to achieve a modern form of decolonization in New Caledonia. This cannot happen without listening to both the loyalists and the Kanak.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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.'
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Smart Traveller puts Aussies travelling to New Caledonia on high alert after separatists reject agreement with France
Aussie travellers have now been put on high alert when visiting New Caledonia. The 'risk of civil disorder and violence' was released by Smart Traveller 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 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. 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. Smart Traveller 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.' Stream free on
