Recently, French overseas minister François-Noël Buffet visited New Calendonia. The duration of this tour was four days. After this visit, New Caledonia has become a key focus for France. After his return, one of the important meetings was held in Paris under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron. In this meeting, top officials like Prime Minister Michel Barnier, discuss the situation.
The main purpose of this visit was to show strong support for France for New Caledonia, which has experienced unrest. Buffet’s also has the aim of restarting talks about its future. He made conservation with many local groups, especially those that were loyal to France and wanted to live independently. Many expressed their opinions on continuing these discussions. Some want a future in which New Caledonia could live independently and still be linked to France. This relationship will be the same as the affiliation between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
This situation shows the challenge of balancing local desires for autonomy with France’s interests in the region.
According to Buffet’s statement:
“The path is narrow…but it is possible.”
New Caledonia’s stability is not only attained by government modification. Some deeper changes are required to boost the economy and improve public services. The main focus should be on health, education, and housing. Additionally, it is also important to provide job opportunities to youth.
An idea to reform the Constitution, which became the reason for riots in May has been canceled. This idea related to French citizens who lived in New Caledonia for almost 10 years, voting in local elections. However, the pro-independence group did not support this idea and opposed it. According to them, it would weaken the votes of the indigenous Kanak people. Right now, only those people who participate in voting who have lived there since 1998.
This issue remains one of the biggest complexities in the political landscape. But now, through board discussions, the issue will be resolved. In this discussion, all political groups take part. These talks are expected to result in a new agreement to replace the 1998 Nouméa Agreement. New Caledonia’s congress also voted to delay the provincial elections initially set for December.
Many Members of Parliament (MPs) said that Buffet’s visit proved beneficial in building trust in the new process. While some had no clear opinions about his comments. It means the job of Congress and provincial assembly members will continue that elected in 2019. The main purpose is to provide more time to local communities to have discussions.
It is expected that this change will be approved soon by the French parliament. For this purpose, a discussion will be held on November 6 in the National Assembly.
A number of significant meetings are scheduled for New Caledonia following Buffet’s tour. Soon, a delegation led by the presidents of the French Senate and National Assembly will travel there. In November, President Macron also hopes to meet with political leaders of New Caledonia. Soon, a Pacific Islands Forum group will travel to New Caledonia to collect data.
New Caledonia’s curfew, which is in effect until at least November 4, is from 10 PM to 5 AM. This curfew restricts public gatherings in Greater Nouméa and forbids the purchase or possession of firearms. Sales of alcohol are likewise prohibited.
The major route in the village of Saint Louis, which is close to the capital Nouméa, is dangerous because of carjackings and stone-throwing, hence it is heavily guarded. An “escorted” passage system has been implemented by the authorities, in which armored vehicles and gendarmes will assist cars in passing through the region safely during certain hours.
“This measure will remain in place to protect road users,”
said General Nicolas Mattéos.
Furthermore, since July, a ferry service has been established at Mont-Dore, giving locals another means of traveling across the bay to the capital while maintaining safety standards.