Article source: "Avenir de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : des discussions débutent ce mardi au ministère des Outre-mer", Le Figaro, 04/02/2025; original AFP dispatch.
Agrandissement : Illustration 1
Talks are to begin today in Paris between the French state and the various political groups in New Caledonia about the institutional future of the French overseas territory. Discussions will be held in a context of considerable tension, marked by divisions and mutual mistrust between separatists and loyalists on the “Caillou” (“the Rock”)*
In his general policy statement in mid-January, Prime Minister François Bayrou announced his intention to invite “the political forces” of New Caledonia, expressing his wish to resume “the political process with negotiations that should be concluded by the end of this quarter”.
"Pave The Way For Formal Negotiations"
The task has been entrusted to the overseas territories minister, Manuel Valls, who has experience of managing the constitutional question of New Caledonia during his time as Prime Minister (under François Hollande, ed.) (2014-2016). Valls is set to begin these “bilateral talks” today with representatives of the six political groupings in the Congress of New Caledonia, the territory’s legislative body.
Few details have emerged regarding the content and timetable of these discussions. “This new phase of talks aims to restore a sincere and peaceful dialogue between stakeholders as part of the process of moving beyond the Nouméa Accord,” said a ministry spokesperson, calling for “discretion” to encourage “a spirit of responsibility and attentiveness”.
“These discussions will aim to clarify each party's position, dispel misconceptions, and foster a better understanding of the future projects promoted by each group,” the spokesperson added, expressing the hope that “if the political conditions are met, this could pave the way for formal negotiations”.
Widening Gulf
But the task is daunting, given the widening gulf between pro- and anti-independence factions and the internal divisions among separatists. The main pro-independence alliance, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) has been weakened by a split with its moderate wing (Palika and UPM). However, they will be heading to Paris to set conditions for resuming talks, demanding “an agreement leading to independence” be reached by September 2025 at the latest.
Furthermore, in a move seen as a provocation to loyalists, the FLNKS recently elected Christian Tein as its leader, a man who is being held on remand for his role in the 2024 riots. “We are dealing with people who do not want an agreement,” loyalist leaders Sonia Backès and Nicolas Metzdorf claimed during a meeting in Paris last week. “We are coming to the negotiating table with two objectives: to ensure that the results of the three referendums are resepected and that we can live in a safe environment,” said Metzdorf, a representative of New Caledonia in the French National Assembly.
Archipelago Devastated By Riots
[Paragraph added by Le Figaro, ed.]
From Saturday onwards, the discussions will also address economic issues in the archipelago, which has been devastated by riots that broke out in May 2024, leading to 14 deaths and property damage worth over 2.2 billion euros.
* This term is the one used by non-indegenous people who are not opposed to independence, and thus avoid using the colonial name, but its whimsical use as a variant to add a bit of local colour is typical of journalistic style in mainland France, ed.
Translated by Jeanne Persem, Leïla Bosseman and Maxime Moreau.
Editing by Sam Trainor.