New Caledonia Wins “State” Status in France

France and New Caledonia reached an agreement Saturday that would grant the South Pacific archipelago more autonomy but still keep it as part of France, a move aimed at resolving long-standing tensions between Paris and its overseas territory that spiraled into violence last year, Euronews reported. 

The 13-page accord calls for the creation of the new “State of New Caledonia,” which will remain French and be inscribed in the French constitution. The agreement also allows for the creation of a new Caledonian nationality, which can be held alongside French nationality. 

Saturday’s deal comes after 10 days of negotiations between French and New Caledonian representatives and follows decades of political tensions between Paris and the islands. 

Located more than 10,600 miles from Paris, France colonized the archipelago in the 1850s and gave it overseas territory status in 1957. Many of the islands’ indigenous Kanaks resent French rule and have demanded independence, according to Agence France-Presse. 

A series of independence referendums between 2018 and 2021 rejected full sovereignty, but the results were contested by Kanak leaders. 

Tensions escalated in May 2024 when riots broke out in New Caledonia after Paris pushed legislation to expand voting rights to thousands of long-term, non-Indigenous residents. Kanaks viewed the change as a threat that would cement their minority status and weaken prospects for future independence. 

The unrest left 14 people dead and caused more than $2 billion in damage, according to French officials. 

Both French and New Caledonian leaders welcomed the agreement, with President Emmanuel Macron hailing it as “historic.” Kanak lawmaker Emmanuel Tjibaou, who participated in the negotiations, said the deal will get the islands “out of the spiral of violence.” 

The accord also proposes measures to help the territory’s struggling economy, including a financial recovery pact and efforts to revive its nickel industry, which was severely impacted by last year’s unrest.  

The agreement is expected to be ratified by the French parliament later this year and will be put to a referendum in New Caledonia in 2026.  

As part of the agreement, only residents who have lived in the territory for at least 10 years will be eligible to vote.