Page 16 - IB May 2024

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highlighted that “the perpetrators of the violence are employment rate was 70% among non-Kanaks and 49% among
overwhelmingly young men aged between 15 and 25.” Kanak”, with significant variation across the three provinces.
Across the political spectrum, politicians, church, and
customary leaders have called for calm and dialogue, Rebuilding the city
criticising the violence, looting and arson. But many elders Today, the Government of New Caledonia faces a massive
are grappling with the alienation of young people from the challenge rebuilding after the riots. After just three nights
institutions and economic opportunities created over the last of conflict, the New Caledonia Chamber of Commerce and
25 years. Industry (CCI) estimated losses at 200 million euros. CCI
Victor Gogny is president of the Sénat coutumier (Kanak President David Guyenne said: “The numbers are colossal,
Customary Senate), an advisory body to New Caledonia’s the magnitude of the damage will be enormous. The New
Congress and Government made up of 16 indigenous chiefs Caledonian economy is structurally damaged.”
from the eight customary regions. Speaking to journalists, The riots exacerbate broader problems in the economy.
Gogny highlighted the despair of the young generation who President Louis Mapou, the first Kanak independence leader
took to the streets. to head the government in forty years, has tried to introduce
“They burned symbols of wealth, targeting large shopping progressive tax reform – measures fiercely opposed by Loyalist
centres and businesses,” Gogny said. “They live in urban politicians and business leaders. As Islands Business reported
areas and face daily difficulties. With their families, they live last September, New Caledonia’s crucial nickel industry
in poverty. They don’t have a job. The rate of those without has been under stress for months, with rising energy costs,
diplomas reaches 30-40%. industrial disputes, and the withdrawal of capital by overseas
“The violence cannot be justified,” he added. “But joint-venture partners.
emotions and frustration are rising among indigenous youth Drawing on 2019 census data, the Institute of Statistics and
today, who have the feeling that France refuses to open Economic Studies in New Caledonia (ISEE-NC) has documented
up prospects for freedom of their country. This is an entire a stream of departures over the last decade.
generation that has understood the Nouméa Accord was the “Between 2014 and 2019,” ISEE reports, “27,600 people
guarantee of its freedom.” who lived in New Caledonia in 2014 left the archipelago (i.e.
It’s notable that many young people defying the curfew one in ten inhabitants). Three quarters of the departures
were waving or wearing the flag of Kanaky. This new were people not born in New Caledonia. The apparent
generation were born after the signing of the Noumea Accord migratory balance is in deficit by 10,300 people between 2014
in 1998, and only know about the Kanak revolt of the 1980s and 2019 (i.e. 2,000 net departures per year).”
from their parents and grandparents. A younger generation is This trend has continued over the last five years. Business
showing their opposition to French colonial rule. confidence has been damaged by uncertainty around the
three referendums between 2018 and 2021, combined with
Addressing inequality the COVID-19 pandemic and rising energy and food costs
Since the 1998 Noumea Accord, governments and citizens related to wars in Europe and the Middle East.
have tried to address the stark inequality in New Caledonia’s This month’s devastation of business houses, and public and
capital, as more Kanak migrate from rural areas to the private infrastructure may contribute to a further exodus of
Southern Province. With the transfer of many powers from French professionals and entrepreneurs. Many business people
Paris to the local provincial assemblies and Congress, and investors see a bleak future for future operations, and
successive governments have tried to rebalance the economy some may throw in the towel, returning to France.
and society, through training programs like Cadre Avenir,
reform of school curriculums and investment in urban The colonial question
infrastructure. The other key driver of the current crisis is the French
There are undeniable improvements in recent years: new government’s stubborn refusal to address the longstanding
public transport systems, investment to improve water FLNKS call for a pathway beyond the Noumea Accord towards
and electricity supply, and improved education for many an independent state.
disadvantaged Kanak and Wallisian students. There’s a worrying level of denial as many conservative
However, in a paper analysing 20 years of policy politicians in Paris and Noumea seek to blame the current
change, University of New Caledonia researchers Samuel crisis on foreign agitators—from Baku to Beijing—rather
Gorohouna and Catherine Ris have shown there are still than address the responsibility of the French State. Many
startling inequalities in education, health, and access to are reluctant to acknowledge that France is not a Pacific
services. Looking at 2014 census data, they found that “the nation, but a European colonial power that retains overseas

16 Islands Business, May 2024