Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika are set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in June to discuss the future of New Caledonia.
The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the United Nations’ 3rd Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
The PIF Troika consists of:
- Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga
- Hon. Jeremiah Manele, incoming Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands; and
- Hon. Mark Brown, outgoing Forum Chair and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
Speaking to media upon arrival at Honiara International Airport from a Troika meeting in Nadi, Fiji on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manele said there is still much work to be done.
“Of course, we all know that our friends—the FLNKS and Kanaks—are not necessarily united on some of these issues. So that itself is a challenge,” he said.
“We are exploring the possible role. The Forum, of course, is engaged through the Troika, but we are also looking at the potential role of the Melanesian Spearhead Group in participating in this process.”
The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) is a pro-independence alliance of political parties in New Caledonia.
The upcoming meeting with President Macron follows violent unrest in New Caledonia in May 2024, which resulted in 13 deaths, the destruction of around 800 businesses, the loss of approximately 25,000 jobs, and a 20% contraction in the territory’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In response to the crisis, France deployed about 7,000 security personnel and has since provided resources to support recovery efforts in the territory.
Last year, the PIF Troika conducted an assessment mission to New Caledonia from October 27–29, following approvals from both the French government and New Caledonian authorities.
Prime Minister Manele said the Troika reviewed the report from that mission and endorsed its recommendations to help resolve the political impasse and support a path forward.
He added that the Troika had been briefed on significant developments since the October mission, including ongoing dialogue between the French government and New Caledonia’s new administration toward a post-Nouméa Accord agreement that may define the territory’s future.
The Troika has agreed to distribute the October mission report and its recommendations to all Forum leaders for review and feedback.
The PIF Troika is a body established by Forum Leaders to oversee the work of the Forum Secretariat between annual Leaders’ meetings.
New Caledonia is a semi-autonomous French territory. Under the Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998, France retains authority over defence, foreign affairs, law and order, monetary policy, and tertiary education and research.
The Nouméa Accord was a commitment by the French Republic to gradually increase political autonomy for New Caledonia and its indigenous Kanak population over a 20-year transition period. Signed on 5 May 1998 by then Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, it was approved by referendum on 8 November 1998, with 72% voting in favor.
Three referendums have since been held to decide whether New Caledonia should remain a French territory or become independent. The first, in 2018, and the second, in 2020, both resulted in a majority voting to remain with France. A third and final referendum was held in December 2021, with the independence movement largely boycotting the vote, resulting in a strong majority favoring continued ties with France.
By Lachlan Shyves Eddie
Solomon Star, Honiara
