France: in New Caledonia, the draft agreement is far from consensus

Described as “historic”, the draft agreement signed between the State and representatives of the independence and non-independence training in New Caledonia was far from consensus on Sunday in this French archipelago of the South Pacific.

Signed on the night of Friday to Saturday. However, this text notably provides for the creation of a New Caledonia State Within the French Republic, a Caledonian nationality and a differentiated sharing of skills. However, some in the archipelago judge this formulation carrying ambiguities, even divisions.

The agreement brings at least a hope of peace. Similarly, stabilityconditions necessary for economic recovery, commented to theAFP The president of Medef (the employers’ organization) Caledonian, Mimsy Daly.

However. Similarly, she regrets an economic component slightly lighteven if the axes promoted by the employers’ organization – diversification, revival of the nickel sector, control of public spending – are taken up.

Mme dit dit attentive to the real capacity of the State to financially support the recovery Just over a year after the violent demonstrations that killed 14 people. Consequently, put the economy of the territory.

Open in full screen

The tone is even more severe on the side of Joël Kasarerhou. president of the citizen movement Build differently.

He first pointed out to theAFP The problem of the legitimacy of people who signed. For him, the agreement, stillbornconstitutes a bad replica of previous agreements, without ambition or vision.

Mr. Kasarerhou also said they regret that youth. france: new caledonia, draft agreement in the heart of the May 2024 insurrection, be Forgotten or barely mentioned He criticized a renewal of ambiguities of the 1998 Noumea Agreement, especially on the electoral body. He thus dreads a New May 13date of the start of the 2024 riots, if the frustrations are not treated.

The fracture is also clear in political camps. The signatories of the draft agreement also entrusted on Saturday evening during a meeting at the Élysée with President. Emmanuel Macron that it will be difficult to have the agreement accepted in the archipelago.

The project will be subject to a local referendum in February 2026.

France: new caledonia, draft agreement

Red line crossed »

In a publication on social networks. Philippe Blaise, the first vice-president of the South province, has publicly announced that he is dissociated from Loyalist signatories france: new caledonia, draft agreement (opposed to independence), claiming to have discovered the content of the agreement Like all Caledonians.

Mr. Blaise denounces a Red line crossing with the recognition of a Caledonian state . a distinct nationalitythat he considers incompatible with the unity of the Republic.

Open in full screen

On the independence side. several votes denounce an agreement signed without a mandate entrusted by the base.

For Brenda Wanabo-Ipeze. one of the managers of the field coordination unit (CCAT), incarcerated in France, This text, it is signed without us, it does not engage us. Opening the electoral body is erasedshe castigated.

Requested by theAFPMélanie Atapo. president of the USTKE, union independentist union and member of the Kanak Flnks independentist movement, said he was surprisestating that he was question of continuing the discussions and returning to share with the bases before any signature.

Under cover of anonymity. one of the components of the FLNKS, questioned by theAFPspoke of betrayal of the positions adopted during conventions. According to him. the separatist negotiators have sold on essential pointsin particular the opening of the electoral body, without militant validation.