France Grants Permission for Pacific Islands Leaders to Visit New Caledonia
The French Government has approved a visit by a Pacific Islands Forum delegation to New Caledonia, following initial difficulties in reaching an agreement.
After discussions at the Forum in Tonga, the French government and the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) have agreed to dispatch a team of leaders to New Caledonia for a fact-finding mission.
A proposed change to electoral laws in New Caledonia had sparked unrest among indigenous Kanaks who felt it would undermine their rights. This led to violent incidents, including burned establishments, road blockades, and 11 fatalities.
Despite the deployment of hundreds of French forces to restore order, intermittent non-violent protests have persisted, and a political deadlock has endured.
Originally, plans were in place to send the troika, comprising three Pacific Islands leaders, to investigate the situation before reporting their findings to a joint session with 18 leaders and observers from other countries present.
However, France reportedly stipulated conditions such as veto power over the troika’s meetings, the presence of French government observers at every meeting, and control over the language in the final report, leading to the cancellation of the mission by New Caledonia President Louis Mapou.
During the Tonga Forum, a new approach was agreed upon after talks between Mapou and the French Ambassador to the Pacific, Veronique Roger-Lacan.
The troika will now be replaced by four Prime Ministers from the Cook Islands, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji who will undertake the mission.
SUBHED
Efforts from Australian and New Zealand diplomats to mediate the situation have been ongoing to find a compromise.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described his discussions with Mapou as “productive,” anticipating the mission to take place in September.
Albanese emphasized that while New Caledonia had not officially requested aid for rebuilding post-riots, Australia was open to considering proposals for assisting its Pacific neighbors.
Mapou has invited New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters for a visit, aiming for later this year. Peters highlighted the need for pro-French and pro-independence groups in New Caledonia to reach a resolution for the territory’s economic success and self-determination.
Peters also expressed plans to meet with French officials to ensure discussions aligned with New Zealand’s interests in the Pacific.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon underscored the government’s desire for peace and prosperity in the region, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue with all parties involved.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown expressed support for New Caledonia’s independence after a meeting with Mapou on Aug. 28 and committed to aiding the territory during its challenges.
In a bid to support New Caledonia’s self-determination efforts, Brown extended an invitation to Mapou to visit the Cook Islands for a deeper understanding of their experiences.
Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni expressed optimism about reaching a mutually agreed path forward with New Caledonia.
