RICHARD BOUHET / AFP
Manuel Valls went this Monday, August 18, in New Caledonia on Monday, August 18 to try to save the Bougival agreement, finally rejected by the separatists last Wednesday.
Politics – Crucial visit. After the rejection on Wednesday of the Agreement on the future of New Caledonia by the National Liberation Front Kanak Socialist (FLNKS), the main independence movement of the territory, the overseas Minister Manuel Valls will seek to convince the independence of the merits of the Bougival text.
This is why he will go to Nouméa from this Monday, August 18. But before that, the minister detailed in an interview with Parisian Sunday the reasons for his trip, which has all the air of a rescue mission of this agreement which he deems ” unpublished ». And which should make it possible to obtain the creation of a “New Caledonia State” With a fundamental law, a Caledonian nationality and competence in international relations. But also of recognition of the Kanake identity.
After judging “Incomprehensible” the rejection of this agreement, he says he wants “Explain, specify, complete, convince as much as necessary “During this trip. During this week, ” We will already examine the bill to reform the Constitution, prior to the Caledonian consultation in February. Everyone knows that starting from scratch, without alternative project, would lead New Caledonia into the dead end ».
However, Manuel Valls will have to confront the deep reluctance of the FLNKS to find a compromise. He indicates as such that ” The consequences of an absence of agreement would be dramatic: judgment of investments, closure of the three nickel factories, loss of thousands of jobs, state financial assistance in the dropper. And it is the Oceanian youth that would be the most affected! ».
« My door is always open ”
« This is why I want to convince the FLNKS to register in the agreement at our bilateral meeting ». But to do this, the FLNKS claims that its President Christian Tein oversees discussions. In videoconference from Mulhouse, where he was imprisoned for almost a year, Christian Tein had denounced Wednesday “A forced march agreement proposed by Macron”.
Another problem, the independence leader has been indicted for his alleged role in the riots of 2024. And has been in prohibited stay in New Caledonia. Which is not a problem according to the Minister, who still opens the door to an exchange with Christian Tein.
« If Christian Tein wants to meet me in Paris and obviously exchange in constructively, my door is still open, even if I know his judicial situation ». The minister still finds himself forced to recognize that ” Christian Tein is in France and I go to Nouméhas “. This will clearly be problematic to respond to the claim of the FLNKS. Manuel Valls explains that he ” Profitted at this stage the discussion with the delegation of the FLNKS in New Caledonia ».
“I don’t want to go into force. But there is no credible alternative to Bougival ”also advances the Minister, for whom “New Caledonia, already severely affected, cannot afford instability and chaos”. Under these conditions, the former Minister of the Interior Socialise recognizes that “The risks of confrontation, civil war really exist “, But assures that” the state will be present to preserve public order and respect for the exercise of democracy ».