France and New Caledonia announced an agreement on Saturday that would provide the semiautonomous Pacific territory with increased freedoms while stopping short of granting it independence. This announcement comes more than a year after violent protests erupted in New Caledonia against French rule.
The agreement aims to establish the “State of New Caledonia” within the French Republic, as outlined in a 13-page document. This state would be recognized in France’s Constitution, allowing for acknowledgment from other nations.
President Emmanuel Macron of France described the agreement as “a bet on trust” in a social media post.
The proposed agreement requires approval from both the French Parliament and the citizens of New Caledonia, which has a population of approximately 270,000. It concludes a period of tense negotiations between the French government and various pro- and anti-independence factions within the territory.
Last year, New Caledonia experienced protests and riots linked to a proposed constitutional amendment that Indigenous Kanak people feared would undermine their voting power and hinder their quest for independence. The unrest resulted in seven deaths, numerous injuries, and significant financial losses for local businesses. In response, France declared a state of emergency in the territory, which is strategically important due to its large nickel reserves amid growing Chinese influence in the region.
During the unrest, Macron condemned the protests as an “insurrection movement” and urged both pro- and anti-independence groups to negotiate a resolution for submission to a popular referendum in New Caledonia.
The new agreement would create a New Caledonian nationality and enable residents to hold dual French and New Caledonian citizenship. French citizens residing in New Caledonia for ten years would be eligible to acquire New Caledonian nationality, addressing grievances that contributed to the 2024 riots regarding voting rights for newcomers.
Voting has been deferred for over two decades following a commitment made by the French government in the 1980s to hold an independence referendum after a period of armed conflict. Authorities agreed to freeze the voter rolls to prevent new arrivals, perceived as more likely to favor French rule, from influencing the vote.
Longstanding social inequalities and the desire for independence have fueled tensions in New Caledonia for decades. The territory was annexed by France in 1853, with an influx of white settlers. Currently, Indigenous Kanaks represent about 40 percent of the population, while Europeans account for roughly a quarter.
New Caledonia has held three independence referendums from 2018 to 2021, all of which resulted in a majority voting against independence. Discontent escalated in 2021 when Macron insisted on proceeding with the third referendum despite requests from Kanak leaders for a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Kanak leaders boycotted the vote, and they have since rejected the results, where 97 percent of voters chose to remain with France, but only 44 percent of the population participated. Previous referendums had higher turnout rates but smaller margins.