French proposal for the ‘State of New Caledonia’ runs into choppy waters

An accord between France and New Caledonia, creating a state within a state and hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as “historic”, hit immediate fierce criticism in the Pacific territory on Sunday.

Following deadly protests that rocked New Caledonia last year, Mr. Macron called for talks to break a deadlock between forces loyal to France and those seeking independence.

After talks, French officials and a delegation of 18 New Caledonian pro-independence and anti-independence representatives reached a deal on Saturday to create a “State of New Caledonia” within the French Republic.

The text, which requires French parliamentary approval and to pass a referendum in the territory, provides for the creation of a Caledonian nationality and the sharing of powers. But it won few supporters in the archipelago.

The signatories of the draft agreement admitted during a meeting with Mr. Macron on Saturday evening that they were struggling to win over opponents of the deal that will be submitted to a referendum in February 2026.

Joel Kasarerhou, president of civil society group Construire Autrement (Build Differently), called the agreement “stillborn”, describing it as a “poor” replica of previous agreements. He said the youth at the heart of the May 2024 uprising had been “forgotten or barely mentioned”. He feared another “May 13” — the date the 2024 riots began.

Home to around 2,70,000 people and located nearly 17,000 km from Paris, New Caledonia is one of several overseas territories that remain an integral part of France. It has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s but many indigenous Kanaks resent France’s power over the islands and want more autonomy or independence.

Unrest broke out in May 2024 after Paris planned to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents. Kanaks feared this would water down their influence, crushing any chance of securing independence.

Philippe Blaise, the pro-France first vice-president of Southern Province government, said the text “crossed a red line” with the recognition of a “Caledonian state” and a “distinct nationality” — incompatible with French unity.

Several pro-independence figures said the accord was signed without a mandate from their base.