On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced an agreement that would transition New Caledonia into a “State of New Caledonia” under the French Republic. This development comes after a year marked by significant unrest and calls for independence within the Pacific territory, which has a population of around 270,000 people.
The agreement aims to offer increased freedoms and formal recognition for the new state, yet it falls short of granting full independence. Macron referred to the move as a “bet on trust” on social media, emphasizing the collaborative effort in negotiations. For the agreement to take effect, it awaits the approval of both the French Parliament and the citizens of New Caledonia.
Last year, New Caledonia faced intense protests and riots over concerns that proposed changes to the French Constitution would undermine the political power of the Indigenous Kanak population, leading to deadly violence that resulted in seven fatalities. The riots caused extensive property damage and invoked a state of emergency, necessitating a significant mobilization of French police forces in the area.
With large nickel reserves at play, New Caledonia remains a strategic location for France, particularly against the backdrop of increasing Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
