
New Caledonia declared a ‘state' in autonomy deal, but will stay French
The 13-page accord, reached on Saturday after negotiations in Paris between the French government and groups on both sides of the territory's independence debate, proposes the creation of a 'State of New Caledonia', with its own nationality, but stops short of the independence sought by many Indigenous Kanaks.
'A State of New Caledonia within the Republic: it's a bet on trust,' French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, saying that the time had come for 'respect, stability, and… goodwill to build a shared future'.
Unrest broke out in May 2024, after Paris proposed a law allowing thousands of non-Indigenous long-term residents living in the territory to vote in provincial elections, diluting a 1998 accord that restricted these rights.
Kanaks, who make up about 40 percent of the territory's population of nearly 300,000, feared the move would leave them in a permanent minority, diluting their influence and crushing their chances of winning independence.
The violence, in which 14 people were killed, is estimated to have cost the territory two billion euros ($2.3bn), shaving 10 percent off its gross domestic product (GDP), according to Manuel Valls, France's minister for overseas territories.
The accord will help 'us get out of the spiral of violence', said Emmanuel Tjibaou, a Kanak lawmaker who took part in the talks.
Lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf, who is in favour of remaining in the French fold, said the compromise deal was born of 'demanding dialogue', describing Caledonian nationality as a 'real concession'.
Both chambers of France's parliament are to meet in the fourth quarter of this year to vote on approving the deal, which is then to be submitted to New Caledonians in a referendum in 2026.
'Intelligent compromise'
Located nearly 17,000km (10,600 miles) from Paris, New Caledonia has been governed from Paris since the 1800s.
Many Indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence.
The last independence referendum in New Caledonia was held in 2021.
But it was boycotted by pro-independence groups over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Kanak population, and the political situation in the archipelago has since been deadlocked.
Valls called Saturday's deal an 'intelligent compromise' that maintains links between France and New Caledonia, but with more sovereignty for the Pacific island.
The deal also calls for an economic and financial recovery pact that would include a renewal of the territory's nickel processing capabilities.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Qatar Tribune
8 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Recognise state of Palestine: SNP tells government of UK
dpa London The Scottish National Party (SNP) has called on the UK Government to 'stop the excuses' and follow other European countries in recognising the state of Palestine. The party's comments follow a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron during his recent state visit to the UK, in which he said recognising the state of Palestine was 'the only path to peace'. The SNP also called on the UK Government to stop the sale of arms to Israel, saying that failure by the Government to 'use the power it has' to end the conflict in Gaza would make it 'totally complicit' in what it called a 'slaughter'. SNP Middle East spokesman Brendan O'Hara said that if the UK Government 'could muster just a shred of conviction and courage they would have the power to act'. He went on: 'After witnessing another week of slaughter, the Labour Party could, and should, begin this new week by taking two concrete steps,' he said. 'They should start this new week by finally stopping all arms sales to Israel and finally recognising the state of Palestine. 'President Macron was crystal clear that he is preparing to join other European nations in recognising the state of Palestine and that he is pressing the UK to join this 'political momentum' towards a ceasefire and a permanent peace. 'Keir Starmer should stop the excuses and join him in recognising the state of Palestine without any more damaging delays. 'That would send the clearest of signals that we are prepared to protect and guarantee the right of the Palestinian people to their own homeland - and that all diplomatic levers will be used to prevent any plan that effectively proposes ethnic cleansing in Gaza. 'It is also blindingly obvious that anyone claiming to support a two-state solution must back immediate recognition of Palestine, otherwise their words ring hollow. 'If after this week Westminster stays sitting on its hands and fails to use the power it has to act, then they will be totally complicit in giving the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government impunity to commit week upon week of slaughter, even deadlier than the one Palestinians have just suffered.' The party pointed out that 144 members of the UN, including Ireland, Spain and Norway, have already moved to recognise Palestine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said earlier this week that the UK Government remained 'completely committed' to recognition, but refused to set a time frame for it, saying it was a 'moving, live situation'. A FCDO spokesperson said: 'From day one we have taken decisive action - suspending relevant export licences, suspending trade negotiations, restarting UNRWA funding, sanctioning Israeli Ministers, providing aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians, and using our position on the UN Security Council to demand the end of this war and the full resumption of aid into Gaza. 'We continue working with international partners to end Palestinian suffering, free the hostages and secure lasting Middle East peace.'


Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
New Caledonia declared a ‘state' in autonomy deal, but will stay French
France has announced a 'historic' deal with New Caledonia in which the South Pacific overseas territory, which was rocked by a wave of unrest last year over controversial electoral reforms, will be declared a new state. The 13-page accord, reached on Saturday after negotiations in Paris between the French government and groups on both sides of the territory's independence debate, proposes the creation of a 'State of New Caledonia', with its own nationality, but stops short of the independence sought by many Indigenous Kanaks. 'A State of New Caledonia within the Republic: it's a bet on trust,' French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, saying that the time had come for 'respect, stability, and… goodwill to build a shared future'. Unrest broke out in May 2024, after Paris proposed a law allowing thousands of non-Indigenous long-term residents living in the territory to vote in provincial elections, diluting a 1998 accord that restricted these rights. Kanaks, who make up about 40 percent of the territory's population of nearly 300,000, feared the move would leave them in a permanent minority, diluting their influence and crushing their chances of winning independence. The violence, in which 14 people were killed, is estimated to have cost the territory two billion euros ($2.3bn), shaving 10 percent off its gross domestic product (GDP), according to Manuel Valls, France's minister for overseas territories. The accord will help 'us get out of the spiral of violence', said Emmanuel Tjibaou, a Kanak lawmaker who took part in the talks. Lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf, who is in favour of remaining in the French fold, said the compromise deal was born of 'demanding dialogue', describing Caledonian nationality as a 'real concession'. Both chambers of France's parliament are to meet in the fourth quarter of this year to vote on approving the deal, which is then to be submitted to New Caledonians in a referendum in 2026. 'Intelligent compromise' Located nearly 17,000km (10,600 miles) from Paris, New Caledonia has been governed from Paris since the 1800s. Many Indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence. The last independence referendum in New Caledonia was held in 2021. But it was boycotted by pro-independence groups over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Kanak population, and the political situation in the archipelago has since been deadlocked. Valls called Saturday's deal an 'intelligent compromise' that maintains links between France and New Caledonia, but with more sovereignty for the Pacific island. The deal also calls for an economic and financial recovery pact that would include a renewal of the territory's nickel processing capabilities.


Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
More migrants cross English Channel a day after Macron and Starmer sign deal
DPA London More than 350 migrants crossed the English Channel on Friday, the latest Home Office figures. The crossings came one day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at deterring migrants from making the perilous journey. According to the Home Office, some 353 people made the trip across the channel by small boat on Friday. This was down from the 573 people who crossed on Thursday, the first time any such journeys were made in a week. More crossings were witnessed on Saturday, but the full figures are yet to be published. Border force vessels and the RNLI were called out on both Thursday and Friday to reports of multiple boats crossing the channel, the Coastguard said. A statement from the Coastguard said: 'HM Coastguard has been co-ordinating a response to multiple incidents involving small boats in the Channel on 10 and 11 July. UK Border Force and RNLI vessels have been sent as part of this response.' Under the terms of the deal agreed by the prime minister and Macron, the UK will for the first time be able to send migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with links to Britain. The so-called one in, one out deal is due to begin in weeks on a pilot basis, but needs final legal verification from the EU. Downing Street has indicated ministers expect the EU to support the arrangement, amid concerns among some European governments that migrants who have travelled to Britain could end up back on their territory. No details have been given about how many people will be covered by the pilot, but French officials had indicated it could initially be limited to about 50 a week, a small fraction of the weekly average this year of 782. At least 21,000 people have already made the journey since January, putting 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings.