The state and political forces of New Caledonia, gathered for ten days near Paris to try to trace an institutional future in the territory, signed a “historic” agreement on Saturday morning. This is announced by several participants at the top.
The details of this agreement, found in the early morning after a final night of negotiations in Bougival (Yvelines), where Caledonian representatives had gathered since July 2, are not yet known. It must still be ratified in New Caledonia by the constituents of the various delegations.
“A historic agreement has been signed,” the non-independence of the loyalists and the rally said in a statement. Without specifying the content of the signed text, they assure that the agreement will allow “the reopening of the electoral body to many Caledonians”.
No more referendum in sight
They also welcome that “this choice respects the sovereign will expressed by the Caledonians” during the three independence referendums of 2018, 2020 and 2021 and evoke “concessions”, with “the transformation of the New Caledonia community into an integrated state”.
“It is signed. A status in France. With Caledonians who remain French. No more referendum in sight except that which will be organized to validate this agreement. An opening of the electoral body,” said non -independence deputy Nicolas Metzdorf in a reaction transmitted to AFP.
Concessions
“We were predicted a referendum on the partner state in 15 years. We have made strong concessions to avoid it and to permanently project New Caledonia in the future and without deadlines,” he added.
“The time is now for explanations and economic recovery,” he said, while New Caledonia was ravaged by the riots in May 2024, which left 14 dead and more than two billion euros in damage.
“New Caledonia State”
“This agreement allows the hope to be reborn,” reacted to AFP Philippe Gomes, leader of the party Caledonia together. According to him, the Parliament must be brought together in Versailles in the last quarter to “constitutionalize” the agreement, before a local referendum. The provincial elections, crucial on the archipelago and scheduled at the latest at the end of November, are postponed.
According to information from AFP, the agreement deed a “State of New Caledonia” inscribed in the Constitution of the French Republic. A Caledonian nationality will be created and this State can be recognized by the international community.
AFP/HKR
