Page 17 - IB April 2023

New Caledonia New Caledonia

Despite the positive dialogue, it’s clear there are still fun- Talking to political leaders across the spectrum in Noumea
damental differences over the way forward, before people last month, you can’t miss the difference of opinion on this
agree on a new political status. crucial question.
Pierre-Chanel Tutugoro, secretary general of the largest Roch Wamytan told me: “We’re happy to receive people
independence party, Union Calédonienne, says the FLNKS from France or from other countries who want to work here
delegation sought government agreement for a new treaty, to and contribute – but for them to want to determine the future
map out a clear timetable for a transition to an independent of the country, it’s not on! The Loyalist parties don’t under-
and sovereign state. stand this, or they don’t want to understand. They don’t want
“Our proposed treaty highlights issues related to interde- to address the principles of the United Nations for non-self-
pendence with the French State, during a period of transition governing territories.”
after independence,” he said. “This will ensure there is no UC’s Pierre-Chanel Tutugoro agreed: “The French State
rupture with France. We’re following in the footsteps set by has opened discussions on the electoral rolls, but we don’t
our forebears, seeking independence with full sovereignty, but see this as a legal issue. It’s a political question. They say we
with ongoing, albeit different, ties with France.” can’t forge a new political status with a fixed electorate – we
In contrast, the French government has proposed a time- have the opposite opinion.”
table to develop a new political status within the French Alcide Ponga, leader of the anti-independence Rassemble-
Republic. ment party, acknowledged that “opinion about the electoral
After the Paris talks, Overseas Minister Darmanin will make rolls is quite divided, but it’s an issue where we need a com-
another visit to Noumea in late May, followed by a visit by promise. Each side must put some water in its wine so we can
President Macron – possibly in July – hoping to finalise an move forward on this issue.”
agreement by September. For the French government, this For Ponga, leaders must better define the rights and respon-
would open the way for reform of the French Constitution in sibilities of citizens: “We can’t just talk about the electoral
early 2024 (The Noumea Accord is effectively embedded in its rolls. Whether it’s in Paris or here in Noumea, we have to
own section of the constitution, and key provisions can only discuss the meaning of New Caledonian citizenship and what
be changed by referendum or a 3/5 vote in a joint meeting of it entails.”
both the French National Assembly and Senate.)
Before leaving for Paris, Roch Wamytan told Islands Business Next steps
that the FLNKS would not be rushed into a decision. While the recent talks in Paris have re-opened dialogue
“We don’t accept their timetable,” he said. “If we need to between the independence movement and the French State,
keep talking for another year, well, then let’s keep talking for there is still a long way to go before any decision on a new
another year. They can’t just impose whatever they like on political status. The clock is ticking, but FLNKS leaders will
us. To introduce a new statute, political parties in France will now hold internal discussions to determine next steps.
only support the change if it’s preceded by a political agree- All parties are well aware of the current chaos in France,
ment here in New Caledonia. We’re happy to talk to them, with massive union and community protests against changes
but to talk seriously.” to the retirement age and pensions. Emmanuel Macron is
Coming out of the Paris talks, Loyalist politician Sonia weakened, his reputation plummeting in opinion polls. In
Backès criticised the refusal of the independence movement March, the French President only survived a censure motion
to begin trilateral discussions: “We have reached the end of by just 9 votes in the 577-member National Assembly.
the bilateral process, we must now manage to talk to each Despite this crisis, Overseas Minister Darmanin and his
other, as people who live in New Caledonia. We cannot con- delegate Jean-François Carenco will again fly to Noumea in
tinue to leave it to the French State to act as the interlocutor late May.
between us.” It seems key FLNKS leaders are tired of reiterating their
In Paris, anti-independence leaders reaffirmed their call for long-standing objective: the completion of the decolonisa-
New Caledonia to remain within the French Republic. They tion process, leading to an independent and sovereign state.
also called on the Borne government to make significant legal Pierre-Chanel Tutugoro told me: “Last year, when I met with
changes to the electorate for the next provincial and Congres- Darmanin and Carenco, I said to them that we’re tired of hav-
sional elections in May 2024. ing the same conversations with you. It seems like we’re just
They want changes to the electoral rolls, which should be repeating, repeating, repeating the same message. It’s tiring
“open to all those who have decided to settle permanently in and eventually it might create the mood that it’s time for a
New Caledonia.” rupture with France.”
Currently, only long-term New Caledonian citizens who “Our old people are leaving us with their hopes for indepen-
meet lengthy residency requirements can participate in elec- dence dashed, even to their last breath,” he said. “It’s not
tions for the local assemblies and Congress. To fully open up good that our elders are leaving us, with the dreams unful-
the electoral body would allow more than 40,000 extra French filled. It’s not good.”
nationals to vote in next May’s election – something that is
fiercely resisted by the independence movement. nicmaclellan@optusnet.com.au

Islands Business, April 2023 17