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Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Caledonia's Politicians To Get Police Protection Following Death Threats
, Correspondent French Pacific Desk New Caledonian politicians who inked their commitment to a deal with France on 12 July will be offered special police protection, following threats uttered especially on social networks. The group to benefit from such measures includes almost twenty members of New Caledonia's parties, both pro-France and pro-independence, who took part in deal-breaking negotiations with the French State that ended on 12 July 2025, and a joint commitment regarding New Caledonia's political future. The endorsed document envisages a roadmap in the coming months to turn New Caledonia into a "State", but within the French realm. It is what some legal experts have sometimes referred to as "a State within the State", while others saying this was tantamount to pushing the French Constitution to its very limits. The document is a commitment by all signatories that, from now on, they will stick to their respective positions. The tense but conclusive negotiations took place behind closed doors in a hotel in the small city of Bougival, near Paris, under talks driven by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls and a team of high-level French government representatives and advisors. It followed Valls's several unsuccessful attempts, earlier this year, to reach a consensus between parties who want New Caledonia to remain part of France and others representing the pro-independence movement. Necessary concessions from both sides But to reach a compromise agreement, both sides have had to make concessions. The pro-French parties, for instance, have had to endorse the notion of a State of New Caledonia or that of a double French-New Caledonian nationality. Pro-independence parties have had to accept the plan to modify the rules of eligibility to vote at local elections so as to allow more non-native French nationals to join the local electoral roll. They also had to postpone or even give up on the hard-line full sovereignty demand for now. Over the past five years and after a series of three referendums (held between 2018 and 2021) on self-determination, both camps have increasingly radicalised. This resulted in destructive and deadly riots that broke out in May 2024, resulting in 14 deaths, over €2 billion in material damage, thousands of jobless and the destruction of hundreds of businesses. Over one year later, the atmosphere in New Caledonia remains marked by a sense of tension, fear, uncertainty on both sides of the political chessboard. Since the deal was signed and made public, on 12 July, and even before flying back to New Caledonia, all parties have been targeted by a wide range of reactions from their militant bases, especially on social media. Some of the reactions have included thinly-veiled death threats in response to a perception that, on one side or another, the deal was not up to the militants' expectations and that the parties' negotiators were now regarded as "traitors". Since signing the Paris agreement, all parties have also recognised the need to "sell" and "explain" the new agreement to their respective militants. Most of the political parties represented during the talks have already announced they will hold meetings in the coming days, in what is described as "an exercise in pedagogy". "In a certain number of countries, when you sign compromises after hundreds of hours of discussions and when it's not accepted (by your militants), you lose your reputation. In our can risk your life", moderate pro-France Calédonie Ensemble leader Philippe Gomès, who was part of the negotiations, told public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie La Première on Wednesday. Pro-independence FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou, as early as Saturday 12 July, was the first to envision negative repercussions back in New Caledonia. Tjibaou's fateful precedent "To choose this difficult and new path also means we'll be subject to criticism. We're going to get insulted, threatened, precisely because we have chosen a different path", he told a post-signing debrief meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. In 1988, Tjibaou's father, pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, also signed a historic deal (known as the "Matignon-Oudinot accords" with pro-France's Jacques Lafleur, under the auspices of then Prime Minister Michel Rocard. The deal largely contributed to restoring peace in New Caledonia, after a state of quasi-civil war during the second half of the 1980s. The following year, he and his closest associate, Yeiwéné Yeiwéné, were both shot dead by a man who was identified as Djubelly Wéa, a hard-line member of the pro-independence movement, who believed the signing of the 1988 deal was a "betrayal" of the indigenous Kanak people's struggle for sovereignty and independence. 'Nobody has betrayed anybody' "Nobody has betrayed anybody, whichever party he belongs to. All of us, on both sides, have defended and remained faithful to their beliefs. We had to work and together find a common ground for the years to come, for (New) Caledonians. Now that's what we need to explain", pro-France Rassemblement-LR leader Virginie Ruffenach said. In an interview earlier this week, Valls said he was very much aware of the local tensions. "I'm aware there are risks, even serious ones. And not only political. There are threats on elections, on politicians, on the delegations. What I'm calling for is debate, confrontation of ideas and calm". "I'm aware that there are extremists out there, who may want to provoke a civil war...a tragedy is always possible. "The risk is always there. Since the accord was signed, there have been direct threats on New Caledonian leaders, pro-independence or anti-independence. We're going to act to prevent this. There cannot be death threats on social networks against pro-independence or anti-independence leaders", Valls said. Over the past few days, special protection French Police officers have already been deployed to New Caledonia to take care of politicians who took part in the Bougival talks and wish to be placed under special scrutiny. "They will be more protected than (French cabinet) ministers", French national public broadcaster France Inter reported on Tuesday.
Scoop
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Macron Suggests New Options For New Caledonia's Future Status
Patrick Decloitre, Correspondent French Pacific Desk French President Emmanuel Macron's has unveiled a range of options regarding New Caledonia's future political status at a "New Caledonia summit" in Paris this week. Speaking at the opening session of an open-ended forum dedicated to the French Pacific territory - but behind closed doors - Macron was reported as mentioning, as part of a range of possible options, an "associated State" status for New Caledonia, with a "strong link with France". Other options mentioned by the French Head of State include a status quo or a "large autonomy". However, all options would be tied to a necessary "reconstruction" and refoundation" period of "15 to 20 years" in order to rebuild New Caledonia's economic and social fabric that has been severely damaged following riots that took place in May 2024. The riots resulted in 14 deaths and over €2 billion in material damage, triggering a downfall of an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and leaving thousands of people unemployed. 15 to 20 years transition to rebuild During the transition period, New Caledonia would be ruled by a specific "fundamental law", a de facto constitution enshrined in the French Constitution that would replace the 1998 Nouméa Accord. At the end of the transition period, a referendum would be held to endorse a "project" for New Caledonia's socio-economic model. Mixed reactions from political parties The presidential statements have triggered several reactions from all sides of New Caledonia's political chessboard. On the pro-France side of parties that want New Caledonia to remain part of France, New Caledonia's Southern Province President Sonia Backès said she favoured the notion of a 15 to 20 years transitional period, but remained "totally opposed" to the notion of an associated State. On the pro-independence side, the mention of an Associated State prompted positive, albeit cautious reactions from the main independence movement, the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front). Its chief negotiator, Emmanuel Tjibaou, during a press conference held on the margins of the summit on Thursday, told media Macron's initial speech was "interesting", especially the fact that the word "associated State" was uttered. "We're interested in this. It commits us to a trajectory". Tjibaou however said their camp required that all this be "put to paper, in writing". "We remain vigilant, we need concrete and written elements (from France)", he said. "We discuss and then we go back to our base to validate the process (...) That's how we operate". Put it in writing But other FLNKS representatives remain doubtful that any sort of agreement would be inked, at least not this time, "even if we stay one week, two weeks, one month", said delegation member Mickaël Forrest during the same media conference. The conference was also attended by FLNKS president Christian Téin, who attempted to join the "summit" on Wednesday but was denied access because he was not on the list of invited guests. "(Macron) holds the keys to his house. I accept that", Téin said, adding he fully trusted the FLNKS delegation. Téin was released from a jail in Mulhouse (North-East of France), where he spent one year, after he was arrested. Under lighter judicial control conditions, he is now awaiting trial for criminal-related charges, but is not to interfere with persons related to his case and is still not allowed to return to New Caledonia. Talks are still underway among delegations of political representatives, all gathered behind closed doors in a hotel in the city of Bougival (West of Paris). There is no specified duration for the series of political meetings, which could last "as long as necessary". 'Economic and Social College' In parallel to the political talks this week in Paris, another conference is also dedicated to New Caledonia's necessary economic reform, including the crucial nickel mining industry, which is also facing a near-collapse situation. The so-called "Economic and Social College" started on Thursday, at the French Ministry for Overseas and is expected to last until Friday. There are four themes organised into roundtables and workshops: the reform of New Caledonia's economic and social fabric, including taxes, the nickel industry, the economy's diversification and its relations to Pacific neighbours. The guest, State Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, is flanked by Minister for public accounts Amélie de Montchalin. She stressed the interdependence between economy and politics. "While economy is essential to (New Caledonia's) success, a political agreement is also essential to the economy's rebound", she said. Business leaders in the French Pacific territory have consistently stressed the need for "visibility", security and stability if New Caledonia was to remain attractive to existing and potential investors. The meeting also involves politicians as well as Mayors of New Caledonia and socio-economic and civil society stakeholders. Business leaders association MEDEF-NC leader Mimsy Daly hailed the approach, but said now was the time to "take into account New Caledonians' suffering on a daily basis." "We hope something positive will come out of this quickly."
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
French Minister Valls Wants All Parties To Own Their Responsibilities Ahead Of Third Trip To New Caledonia
Manuel Valls, who is visiting New Caledonia for the third time in two months, has again called all sides to live up to their responsibilities. , Correspondent French Pacific Desk French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, who is visiting New Caledonia this week for the third time in two months, has once again called all parties to live up to their responsibilities in order to make a new political agreement possible. Failing that, he said a potential civil war was looming. 'We'll take our responsibilities, on our part, and we will put on the table a project that touches New Caledonia's society, economic recovery, including nickel, and the future of the younger generation', he told a panel of French journalists on Sunday. He said that he hoped a revised version on a draft document – resulting from his previous visits in the French Pacific territory and new proposals from the French government – there existed a 'difficult path' to possibly reconcile radically opposing views expressed so far from the pro-independence parties in New Caledonia and those who want New Caledonia to remain part of France. The target remains an agreement that would accommodate both 'the right and aspiration to self-determination' and 'the link with France'. 'If there is no agreement, then economic and political uncertainty can lead to a new disaster, to confrontation and to civil war', he told reporters. 'That is why I have appealed several times to all political stakeholders, those for and those against independence,' he warned. 'Everyone must take a step towards each other. An agreement is indispensable.' Valls said this week he hoped everyone would 'enter a real negotiations phase'. He said one of the ways to achieve this will be to find 'innovative' solutions and 'a new way of looking at the future'. This also included relevant amendments to the French Constitution. Local parties will not sign any agreement 'at all costs' Local parties are not so enthusiastic. In fact, each camp remains on their guard, in an atmosphere of defiance. And on both sides, they agree at least on one thing: they will not sign any agreement 'at all costs'. Just like has been the case since talks between Valls and local parties began earlier this year, the two main opposing camps remain adamant on their respective pre-conditions and sometimes demands. The pro-independence liberation front, the FLNKS, largely dominated by the Union Calédonienne, held at the weekend a 'convention' to decide on whether they would be attending this week's new round of talks with Valls. They eventually resolved that they would attend the new roundtables, but have not yet decided to call this 'negotiations', only 'discussions'. They said another decision would be made on Thursday 1 May, 2025, after they have examined Valls's new proposals and documents which the French minister is expected to circulate as soon as he hosts the first meeting, on Wednesday 30 April. During their weekend 'convention', the FLNKS reaffirmed their demands for a 'Kanaky Agreement' to be signed not later than 24 September 2025, to be followed by a five-year transition period. The official line was to 'maintain the trajectory' to full sovereignty, including in terms of schedule. On the pro-France side, the main pillar of their stance is the fact that three self-determination referendums have been held between 2018 and 2021, even though the third and last consultation was largely boycotted by the pro-independence camp. And that all three referendums have resulted in a vote rejecting full sovereignty. One of their most outspoken leader, Les Loyalistes party and Southern Province President Sonia Backès, told a public rally last week they refuse another date for yet another referendum. 'A new referendum would mean civil war. And we don't want to fix the date for civil war. So we don't want to fix the date for a new referendum', she said. Backès, however, said they 'still want to believe in an agreement'. 'We're part of all discussions on seeking solutions. In a constructive and creative spirit'. One of their other proposals was to grant more powers to each of the three provinces of New Caledonia, including on tax collection matters. 'We don't want differences along ethnic lines. We want the provinces to have more powers so that each of them is responsible for their respective society models'. Under a draft text leaked last week, any new referendum could only be called by at least three-fifths of the Congress and would no longer pose a 'binary' question on yes or no to independence, but would consist in endorsing a 'project' for New Caledonia's future society. Another prominent pro-France leader, MP Nicolas Metzdorf, repeated this weekend he and his supporters 'remain mobilised to defend New Caledonia within France'. 'We will not budge,' Metzdorf said. Despite Valls's warnings and urges, another scenario could also be that New Caledonia's political stakeholders could find it more appealing or convenient to agree on no agreement at all, especially as New Caledonia's crucial provincial elections are in the pipeline and scheduled for no later than 30 November this year. Concerns about security But during that same interview, Valls repeated that he remained concerned that the situation on the ground remained 'serious'. 'We are walking on a tightrope above embers'. He said top of his concerns were New Caledonia's economic and financial situation, the tense atmosphere, a resurgence in 'racism, hatred' as well as a fast-deteriorating public health services situation or the rise in poverty caused by an increasing number of jobless. 'So yes, all these risks are there, and that is why it is everyone's responsibility to find an agreement. And I will stay as long as needed and I will put all my energy so that an agreement takes place. Not for me, for them'. Valls also recalled that since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, almost one year ago, French security and law enforcement agencies are still maintaining about twenty squads of French gendarmes (1500 personnel) deployed there. This is on top of the normally-stationed 550 other gendarmes and another 680 police officers. Valls said this was necessary because 'any time, it could flare up again'. Outgoing French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said in an interview recently that in case of a 'new 13 May' situation, the pre-positioned forces could ensure law enforcement 'for three or four days' 'until reinforcements arrive'. If fresh violence were to erupt again, reinforcements could be sent again from mainland France and bring the total number to up to six thousand law enforcement personnel, a number similar to the level deployed in 2024 in the weeks following the riots that killed 14 and caused some €2.2 billion in material damage. Carefully chosen words Valls said earlier in April the main pillars of future negotiations are articulated around the themes of 'democracy and the rule of law', a 'decolonisation process', the right to self-determination, a future 'fundamental law' that would seal New Caledonia's future status, the powers of New Caledonia's three provinces, and a future New Caledonia citizenship with the associated definition of who meets the requirements to vote at local elections. Valls already travelled to Nouméa twice this year, in February and March 2025. He left Paris on Monday afternoon (local time) and is scheduled to touch down in New Caledonia on Tuesday, 29 April in the evening. Since his last visit that ended on 1 April, discussions have been maintained in visio conference mode between local political stakeholders and Valls, his cabinet, as well as French Prime Minister François Bayrou's special advisor on New Caledonia, constitutionalist Eric Thiers.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
French Minister Valls Wants All Parties To Own Their Responsibilities Ahead Of Third Trip To New Caledonia
Manuel Valls, who is visiting New Caledonia for the third time in two months, has again called all sides to live up to their responsibilities. , Correspondent French Pacific Desk French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, who is visiting New Caledonia this week for the third time in two months, has once again called all parties to live up to their responsibilities in order to make a new political agreement possible. Failing that, he said a potential civil war was looming. 'We'll take our responsibilities, on our part, and we will put on the table a project that touches New Caledonia's society, economic recovery, including nickel, and the future of the younger generation', he told a panel of French journalists on Sunday. He said that he hoped a revised version on a draft document – resulting from his previous visits in the French Pacific territory and new proposals from the French government – there existed a 'difficult path' to possibly reconcile radically opposing views expressed so far from the pro-independence parties in New Caledonia and those who want New Caledonia to remain part of France. The target remains an agreement that would accommodate both 'the right and aspiration to self-determination' and 'the link with France'. 'If there is no agreement, then economic and political uncertainty can lead to a new disaster, to confrontation and to civil war', he told reporters. 'That is why I have appealed several times to all political stakeholders, those for and those against independence,' he warned. 'Everyone must take a step towards each other. An agreement is indispensable.' Valls said this week he hoped everyone would 'enter a real negotiations phase'. He said one of the ways to achieve this will be to find 'innovative' solutions and 'a new way of looking at the future'. This also included relevant amendments to the French Constitution. Local parties will not sign any agreement 'at all costs' Local parties are not so enthusiastic. In fact, each camp remains on their guard, in an atmosphere of defiance. And on both sides, they agree at least on one thing: they will not sign any agreement 'at all costs'. Just like has been the case since talks between Valls and local parties began earlier this year, the two main opposing camps remain adamant on their respective pre-conditions and sometimes demands. The pro-independence liberation front, the FLNKS, largely dominated by the Union Calédonienne, held at the weekend a 'convention' to decide on whether they would be attending this week's new round of talks with Valls. They eventually resolved that they would attend the new roundtables, but have not yet decided to call this 'negotiations', only 'discussions'. They said another decision would be made on Thursday 1 May, 2025, after they have examined Valls's new proposals and documents which the French minister is expected to circulate as soon as he hosts the first meeting, on Wednesday 30 April. During their weekend 'convention', the FLNKS reaffirmed their demands for a 'Kanaky Agreement' to be signed not later than 24 September 2025, to be followed by a five-year transition period. The official line was to 'maintain the trajectory' to full sovereignty, including in terms of schedule. On the pro-France side, the main pillar of their stance is the fact that three self-determination referendums have been held between 2018 and 2021, even though the third and last consultation was largely boycotted by the pro-independence camp. And that all three referendums have resulted in a vote rejecting full sovereignty. One of their most outspoken leader, Les Loyalistes party and Southern Province President Sonia Backès, told a public rally last week they refuse another date for yet another referendum. 'A new referendum would mean civil war. And we don't want to fix the date for civil war. So we don't want to fix the date for a new referendum', she said. Backès, however, said they 'still want to believe in an agreement'. 'We're part of all discussions on seeking solutions. In a constructive and creative spirit'. One of their other proposals was to grant more powers to each of the three provinces of New Caledonia, including on tax collection matters. 'We don't want differences along ethnic lines. We want the provinces to have more powers so that each of them is responsible for their respective society models'. Under a draft text leaked last week, any new referendum could only be called by at least three-fifths of the Congress and would no longer pose a 'binary' question on yes or no to independence, but would consist in endorsing a 'project' for New Caledonia's future society. Another prominent pro-France leader, MP Nicolas Metzdorf, repeated this weekend he and his supporters 'remain mobilised to defend New Caledonia within France'. 'We will not budge,' Metzdorf said. Despite Valls's warnings and urges, another scenario could also be that New Caledonia's political stakeholders could find it more appealing or convenient to agree on no agreement at all, especially as New Caledonia's crucial provincial elections are in the pipeline and scheduled for no later than 30 November this year. Concerns about security But during that same interview, Valls repeated that he remained concerned that the situation on the ground remained 'serious'. 'We are walking on a tightrope above embers'. He said top of his concerns were New Caledonia's economic and financial situation, the tense atmosphere, a resurgence in 'racism, hatred' as well as a fast-deteriorating public health services situation or the rise in poverty caused by an increasing number of jobless. 'So yes, all these risks are there, and that is why it is everyone's responsibility to find an agreement. And I will stay as long as needed and I will put all my energy so that an agreement takes place. Not for me, for them'. Valls also recalled that since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, almost one year ago, French security and law enforcement agencies are still maintaining about twenty squads of French gendarmes (1500 personnel) deployed there. This is on top of the normally-stationed 550 other gendarmes and another 680 police officers. Valls said this was necessary because 'any time, it could flare up again'. Outgoing French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said in an interview recently that in case of a 'new 13 May' situation, the pre-positioned forces could ensure law enforcement 'for three or four days' 'until reinforcements arrive'. If fresh violence were to erupt again, reinforcements could be sent again from mainland France and bring the total number to up to six thousand law enforcement personnel, a number similar to the level deployed in 2024 in the weeks following the riots that killed 14 and caused some €2.2 billion in material damage. Carefully chosen words Valls said earlier in April the main pillars of future negotiations are articulated around the themes of 'democracy and the rule of law', a 'decolonisation process', the right to self-determination, a future 'fundamental law' that would seal New Caledonia's future status, the powers of New Caledonia's three provinces, and a future New Caledonia citizenship with the associated definition of who meets the requirements to vote at local elections. Valls already travelled to Nouméa twice this year, in February and March 2025. He left Paris on Monday afternoon (local time) and is scheduled to touch down in New Caledonia on Tuesday, 29 April in the evening. Since his last visit that ended on 1 April, discussions have been maintained in visio conference mode between local political stakeholders and Valls, his cabinet, as well as French Prime Minister François Bayrou's special advisor on New Caledonia, constitutionalist Eric Thiers.
RNZ News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
French Minister Valls wants all parties to own their responsibilities ahead of third trip to New Caledonia
Union Calédonienne President Emmanuel Tjibaou [blue shirt] and other participants at the pro-independence FLNKS convention in Yaté, New Caledonia on 26 April 2025. Photo: RRB French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, who is visiting New Caledonia this week for the third time in two months, has once again called all parties to live up to their responsibilities in order to make a new political agreement possible. Failing that, he said a potential civil war was looming. "We'll take our responsibilities, on our part, and we will put on the table a project that touches New Caledonia's society, economic recovery, including nickel, and the future of the younger generation", he told a panel of French journalists on Sunday . He said that he hoped a revised version on a draft document - resulting from his previous visits in the French Pacific territory and new proposals from the French government - there existed a "difficult path" to possibly reconcile radically opposing views expressed so far from the pro-independence parties in New Caledonia and those who want New Caledonia to remain part of France. The target remains an agreement that would accommodate both "the right and aspiration to self-determination" and "the link with France". "If there is no agreement, then economic and political uncertainty can lead to a new disaster, to confrontation and to civil war", he told reporters. "That is why I have appealed several times to all political stakeholders, those for and those against independence," he warned. "Everyone must take a step towards each other. An agreement is indispensable." Valls said this week he hoped everyone would "enter a real negotiations phase". He said one of the ways to achieve this will be to find "innovative" solutions and "a new way of looking at the future". This also included relevant amendments to the French Constitution. France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls (front L) greets the President of the Government of New Caledonia Alcide Ponga (R) as Senator Georges Naturel (C) looks on during his arrival for a military honours ceremony at the Croix de Lorraine in Noumea, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on February 22, 2025. Photo: Delphine Mayeur / AFP Local parties are not so enthusiastic. In fact, each camp remains on their guard, in an atmosphere of defiance. And on both sides, they agree at least on one thing: they will not sign any agreement "at all costs". Just like has been the case since talks between Valls and local parties began earlier this year, the two main opposing camps remain adamant on their respective pre-conditions and sometimes demands. The pro-independence liberation front, the FLNKS, largely dominated by the Union Calédonienne, held at the weekend a "convention" to decide on whether they would be attending this week's new round of talks with Valls. They eventually resolved that they would attend the new roundtables, but have not yet decided to call this "negotiations", only "discussions". They said another decision would be made on Thursday 1 May, 2025, after they have examined Valls's new proposals and documents which the French minister is expected to circulate as soon as he hosts the first meeting, on Wednesday 30 April. During their weekend "convention", the FLNKS reaffirmed their demands for a "Kanaky Agreement" to be signed not later than 24 September 2025, to be followed by a five-year transition period. The official line was to "maintain the trajectory" to full sovereignty, including in terms of schedule. On the pro-France side, the main pillar of their stance is the fact that three self-determination referendums have been held between 2018 and 2021, even though the third and last consultation was largely boycotted by the pro-independence camp. And that all three referendums have resulted in a vote rejecting full sovereignty. One of their most outspoken leader, Les Loyalistes party and Southern Province President Sonia Backès, told a public rally last week they refuse another date for yet another referendum. "A new referendum would mean civil war. And we don't want to fix the date for civil war. So we don't want to fix the date for a new referendum", she said. Backès, however, said they "still want to believe in an agreement". "We're part of all discussions on seeking solutions. In a constructive and creative spirit". One of their other proposals was to grant more powers to each of the three provinces of New Caledonia, including on tax collection matters. "We don't want differences along ethnic lines. We want the provinces to have more powers so that each of them is responsible for their respective society models". Under a draft text leaked last week, any new referendum could only be called by at least three-fifths of the Congress and would no longer pose a "binary" question on yes or no to independence, but would consist in endorsing a "project" for New Caledonia's future society. Another prominent pro-France leader, MP Nicolas Metzdorf, repeated this weekend he and his supporters "remain mobilised to defend New Caledonia within France". "We will not budge," Metzdorf said. Despite Valls's warnings and urges, another scenario could also be that New Caledonia's political stakeholders could find it more appealing or convenient to agree on no agreement at all, especially as New Caledonia's crucial provincial elections are in the pipeline and scheduled for no later than 30 November this year. But during that same interview, Valls repeated that he remained concerned that the situation on the ground remained "serious". "We are walking on a tightrope above embers". He said top of his concerns were New Caledonia's economic and financial situation, the tense atmosphere, a resurgence in "racism, hatred" as well as a fast-deteriorating public health services situation or the rise in poverty caused by an increasing number of jobless. "So yes, all these risks are there, and that is why it is everyone's responsibility to find an agreement. And I will stay as long as needed and I will put all my energy so that an agreement takes place. Not for me, for them". Valls also recalled that since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, almost one year ago, French security and law enforcement agencies are still maintaining about twenty squads of French gendarmes (1500 personnel) deployed there. This is on top of the normally-stationed 550 other gendarmes and another 680 police officers. Valls said this was necessary because "any time, it could flare up again". Outgoing French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said in an interview recently that in case of a "new 13 May" situation, the pre-positioned forces could ensure law enforcement "for three or four days" "until reinforcements arrive". If fresh violence were to erupt again, reinforcements could be sent again from mainland France and bring the total number to up to six thousand law enforcement personnel, a number similar to the level deployed in 2024 in the weeks following the riots that killed 14 and caused some €2.2 billion in material damage. Valls said earlier in April the main pillars of future negotiations are articulated around the themes of "democracy and the rule of law", a "decolonisation process", the right to self-determination, a future "fundamental law" that would seal New Caledonia's future status, the powers of New Caledonia's three provinces, and a future New Caledonia citizenship with the associated definition of who meets the requirements to vote at local elections. Valls already travelled to Nouméa twice this year, in February and March 2025. He left Paris on Monday afternoon (local time) and is scheduled to touch down in New Caledonia on Tuesday, 29 April in the evening. Since his last visit that ended on 1 April, discussions have been maintained in visio conference mode between local political stakeholders and Valls, his cabinet, as well as French Prime Minister François Bayrou's special advisor on New Caledonia, constitutionalist Eric Thiers.
