Political movements in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific, have reached an agreement to establish a new political entity with broad autonomy—but without a complete break from France. According to Politico, the compromise between pro- and anti-independence factions was reached on July 12 in Bougival, a suburb of Paris, following more than ten days of negotiations.
New Caledonia is an archipelago consisting of the large main island of the same name and several smaller ones, located roughly 1,500 kilometers east of Australia. It has a population of about 250,000, with just over 40% identifying as Kanaks—the indigenous Melanesian people—around a quarter of European descent, and the rest comprising people of mixed or other ethnic backgrounds.
Mass march of pro-Kanak activists carrying national flags.
France incorporated the archipelago into its colonial empire in 1853. Today, New Caledonia holds a special status within the French Republic. In 2018, 2020, and 2021, it held three referendums on independence, in which the majority voted to maintain ties with Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the agreement “historic” and expressed hope that it would pave the way for “trust, stability, and the uniting of goodwill for a shared future.” Under the terms of the deal, New Caledonia will gain its own citizenship and the option of dual nationality, along with powers in foreign affairs. France, in turn, has committed to providing economic support.
According to the local outlet Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, the agreement must be approved by the French parliament and by New Caledonian voters in a referendum before it can take effect.
Political tensions on the archipelago persisted until recently. In May 2024, large-scale unrest erupted after Paris proposed changes to electoral laws that would grant voting rights in local elections to all French citizens residing on the islands. Representatives of the Indigenous population saw the move as an attempt to weaken the pro-independence movement.