New Caledonia Separatists Reject France Autonomy Deal

The pro-independence coalition in New Caledonia, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), has rejected the recent Bougival Accord brokered by France to create a new state within the French Republic that grants New Caledonia greater autonomy but stops short of full independence. Although FLNKS representatives initially signed the agreement, they later repudiated it, citing the absence of provisions for a new independence referendum and concerns that the deal contradicted their fundamental goals. The accord would have established dual French and New Caledonian nationality and devolved some local powers, but key areas such as security, defense, and justice would remain under Paris’s control. The rejection follows a history of deep unrest in the territory, including violent riots last year sparked by proposed electoral reforms perceived to diminish indigenous Kanak voting power, resulting in deaths and significant property damage. French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls plans to visit New Caledonia to attempt to salvage the deal, emphasizing the need for democracy and justice amid tensions. New Caledonia’s strategic importance to France stems from its natural resources, including nickel deposits, and its geopolitical position in the Indo-Pacific region.