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Political crisis in New Caledonia as separatists reject agreement

Political Crisis in New Caledonia: Separatists Reject French Reform Proposals Amid Escalating Tensions

In the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, a deepening political crisis has gripped the archipelago, pitting pro-independence separatists against the French government and local loyalists. At the heart of the turmoil is the rejection by Kanak separatist groups of a proposed constitutional reform that would expand voting rights in local elections, a move seen by independence advocates as diluting their influence and undermining decades of efforts toward self-determination. This rejection has fueled ongoing unrest, including violent protests, blockades, and clashes that have paralyzed the territory, leading to significant economic disruption and a humanitarian toll.

New Caledonia, a resource-rich island group known for its nickel reserves and strategic location in the South Pacific, has long been a flashpoint for tensions between its indigenous Kanak population, who make up about 40% of the 270,000 residents, and European-descended Caldoches, alongside more recent immigrants from other Pacific islands and metropolitan France. The current crisis traces its roots to the Nouméa Accord of 1998, a landmark agreement that set the stage for a gradual transfer of powers from Paris to local authorities and outlined a path to possible independence through a series of referendums. Under this accord, voting in provincial elections was restricted to long-term residents to protect the political voice of the Kanak people, who have historically faced marginalization under French colonial rule.

Three independence referendums were held between 2018 and 2021, each resulting in a narrow rejection of full sovereignty. The first in 2018 saw 56.7% voting to remain part of France, followed by 53.3% in 2020. The third, in December 2021, was boycotted by many separatists amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which they argued disproportionately affected their communities and prevented fair participation. This boycott led to a 96.5% vote against independence, but with turnout below 44%, separatists dismissed the result as illegitimate. The French government, however, declared the process complete, paving the way for discussions on the territory's future status.

The latest flashpoint emerged when French President Emmanuel Macron's administration pushed forward a bill to amend the constitution, aiming to unfreeze the electoral rolls frozen since 1998. This reform would grant voting rights in local elections to French citizens who have resided in New Caledonia for at least 10 years, potentially adding around 25,000 new voters to the rolls. Proponents, including loyalist parties and the French interior ministry, argue that this is necessary to ensure democratic representation for all residents and to reflect demographic changes over the past two decades. They contend that excluding newer arrivals perpetuates inequality and hinders integration.

However, separatist groups, particularly the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) and other Kanak-led organizations, vehemently oppose the measure. They view it as a deliberate attempt by Paris to entrench French control by swelling the electorate with non-indigenous voters who are more likely to support continued ties to France. "This reform is nothing short of electoral colonization," a spokesperson for the FLNKS stated, emphasizing that it violates the spirit of the Nouméa Accord and could make future independence bids mathematically impossible. The rejection has been formalized through public statements and protests, with separatists demanding the bill's withdrawal and a return to negotiations that prioritize decolonization.

The standoff escalated dramatically in May 2024, when riots erupted in the capital, Nouméa, following the French National Assembly's initial approval of the reform. Protesters, many from Kanak communities, set up barricades, torched vehicles, and clashed with security forces, leading to at least nine deaths, hundreds of injuries, and widespread property damage. French authorities responded by deploying thousands of additional police and military personnel, imposing a state of emergency, and enforcing curfews. The violence has disrupted daily life, closing schools, businesses, and the international airport, while blockades have caused shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Economically, the crisis has hit hard: New Caledonia's nickel industry, which accounts for a significant portion of the global supply and employs thousands, has ground to a halt, exacerbating unemployment and straining the territory's budget, which relies heavily on French subsidies.

Amid the chaos, dialogue efforts have faltered. Macron visited New Caledonia in late May, pledging to delay the reform's implementation to allow for talks, but separatists have conditioned their participation on the complete scrapping of the bill. Loyalist leaders, meanwhile, accuse independence supporters of instigating violence and demand a firm restoration of order. International observers, including from the United Nations and Pacific Island nations like Fiji and Vanuatu, have expressed concern over the handling of the crisis, urging respect for indigenous rights and a peaceful resolution. The Melanesian Spearhead Group, a regional body, has called for an independent investigation into the violence, highlighting broader decolonization issues in the Pacific.

The crisis underscores deeper grievances, including economic inequality, where Kanaks often face higher poverty rates and limited access to education and healthcare compared to other groups. Environmental concerns, such as the impact of nickel mining on traditional lands, further fuel separatist sentiments. Analysts warn that without genuine compromise, the unrest could persist, potentially leading to a humanitarian emergency or even renewed calls for international intervention.

Looking ahead, the French Senate is set to debate the reform in the coming weeks, but with separatists boycotting talks and protests showing no signs of abating, a breakthrough seems elusive. Macron's government faces domestic pressure to maintain France's overseas influence, especially in the Indo-Pacific amid geopolitical rivalries with China. For New Caledonia's residents, the path forward remains uncertain, caught between aspirations for autonomy and the realities of integration with a distant metropole. As one local activist put it, "This is not just about votes; it's about our identity, our land, and our future." The rejection by separatists signals a pivotal moment, one that could redefine the territory's relationship with France or plunge it into prolonged instability.

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Read the Full dpa international Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/political-crisis-caledonia-separatists-reject-132821872.html ]