In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord.
During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15 September, Jean-François Carenco announced that the current 18-month timeframe for talks and a referendum on a new political framework, set by his predecessor Sébastien Lecornu, was impossible to meet. Instead, he has invited key political leaders to Paris in October, for bilateral talks and then the creation of a new “Committee of Partners” – a forum . . .
