Latest news with #NouméaAccord
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
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
New Caledonia separatists reject agreement with France
A dispute over the political future of the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia is coming to a head more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 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. A dispute over the political future of the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia is coming to a head more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 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. A dispute over the political future of the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia is coming to a head more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 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. A dispute over the political future of the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia is coming to a head more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 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.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
New Caledonia separatists reject agreement with France
A dispute over the political future of the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia is coming to a head more than a year after a wave of violent unrest swept across the French overseas territory. 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.
LeMonde
20-07-2025
- Business
- LeMonde
'In New Caledonia, the French state is signing a check for reconstruction and securing a lasting attachment with France'
"Betting on trust" is the title of the agreement reached on July 12 in Bougival, on the outskirts of Paris, between the French state and political partners from New Caledonia. Eighteen New Caledonian representatives from across the political spectrum signed a document with Manuel Valls, the minister for overseas territories, that is riddled with ambiguities and unspoken elements. The text is designed to succeed the [1998] Nouméa Accord. It redefines relations between the French state and the archipelago, which becomes the "State of New Caledonia," a human and geographic entity that remains under French oversight. Still at the draft stage, the effective implementation of the agreement will require not only the approval of New Caledonian citizens, but also of French lawmakers, who, starting in the autumn, will be called on to legislate to postpone the provincial elections and integrate this contractual agreement into the institutional legal framework. The text is a bold bet on the malleability of French law and the flexibility of elected officials. It is a gamble that could prove risky, especially for [Indigenous] Kanak youth, for whom it offers little more than a substitute for statehood as their future horizon. After outlining the key principles driving it, the agreement rests on two pillars: the future institutional framework and economic support. The latter was certainly decisive in reaching consensus. The rescue plan for the nickel mining industry, cleaning up public finances, the gradual and conditional easing of debt, and restoring the social welfare system's accounts all played a significant role in the negotiations. Although all these areas fall under the exclusive authority of New Caledonia, the French state is signing a check for the country's reconstruction and, in return, securing New Caledonia's long-term attachment to France. Russian doll model This will require unprecedented adjustments. Until now, the exceptions to the principles of a unified and indivisible French Republic imposed by the Nouméa Accord were tolerated, if not accepted, due to the "transitional" nature of Title XIII of the French Constitution, which is dedicated to New Caledonia. By contrast, permanently enshrining the "State of New Caledonia" in the Constitution could create real legal challenges. The constitutional authorities will need to address this.
