FRANCE’S parliament rejected a proposed law Thursday to grant New Caledonia partial statehood under the Bougival Accord, aiming to stabilize the Pacific archipelago amid independence tensions.
New Caledonia, a French overseas territory since 1853 with 270,000 residents between Australia and Fiji, is rich in nickel vital for EV batteries. Indigenous Kanaks (40 per cent of population) face poverty disparities compared to European descendants (Caldoches).
Tensions trace to 1878 uprisings and 1980s violence, leading to the 1998 Noumea Accord granting autonomy and three referendums (2018-2021) favouring staying with France — though Kanaks boycotted the last.
2024 riots killed 14 after voting reforms threatened Kanak electoral power. The accord proposed a “State of New Caledonia” with local nationality, no more referendums, and voting rights for post-1998 residents after 10 years. Pro-independence FLNKS opposes it as blocking sovereignty. — AFP
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