Pro-Independence Leaders Reject French Deal Giving New Caledonia ‘State’ Status 

New Caledonia’s main pro-independence coalition this week formally rejected a French government proposal to grant the overseas Pacific territory expanded powers and its own nationality while keeping it under the French constitution, effectively derailing the accord, Politico reported. 

Signed last month in Paris, the agreement would grant New Caledonia a new state status but not decouple it from France. It would have also transferred some powers to the Pacific archipelago, such as allowing it to control its own foreign policy. 

The territory’s residents would also hold both French and Caledonian citizenship, instead of just French, as is currently the case. 

However, the agreement did not include a new referendum on full independence, which was a key demand of the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS). 

On Wednesday, FLNKS officials announced the rejection of the draft deal, saying it was “incompatible with the foundations and achievements” of the movement’s decades-long struggle, Radio France Internationale noted. 

They urged supporters to resist “any attempt by Paris to force this (deal) through,” calling for peaceful opposition.  

Calls for independence have been prevalent in the archipelago for years. However, voters have rejected three referendums on independence since 2018.  

But tensions between Paris and its overseas territory escalated last year when riots erupted over divisive electoral reforms that would have expanded voting rights to newer residents, which would have reduced the Kanak share of the electorate.  

The unrest left 14 dead and caused more than $2 billion in property damage. 

The agreement was aimed at resolving those tensions, but observers noted that the absence of a referendum was a deal breaker for the territory’s pro-independence leaders. 

France’s Minister for Overseas Territories Manuel Valls expressed regret at FLNKS’s rejection of what he described as “a historic compromise.” He added that he would travel to New Caledonia next week in an effort to salvage the accord 

Meanwhile, the pro-independence coalition is pushing for a “Kanaky agreement” to be signed next month, which would give the archipelago full sovereignty before the 2027 French presidential election. 

Despite rejecting the initial deal, FLNKS leaders said they will meet Valls during his visit.