The Guardian: Unrest in New Caledonia - result of Macron’s stubborn political manoeuvring

The unrest that has gripped Kanaky-New Caledonia is the direct result of Emmanuel Macron’s partisan and stubborn political manoeuvring to derail the process towards self-determination in this overseas territory, reads an article by Jimmy Naouna, one of the leaders of the Kanak independence movement, the Kanak National and Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS), Report informs referring to The Guardian.

“The deadly riots that erupted two weeks ago in the capital, Noumea, were sparked by an electoral reform bill voted through in the French National Assembly, in Paris,” Naouna writes.

The FLNKS and its allies have been contesting the controversial electoral bill since it was introduced in the French senate by the Macron government in April, according to the article.

Since the electoral reform bill was introduced in the French Senate in April this year, peaceful rallies, demonstrations, marches and sit-ins gathering more than ten thousand people have been held in the city centre of Noumea and around Kanaky-New Caledonia, but that did not stop the French government pushing ahead with the bill – despite clear signs that it would trigger unrest and violent reactions on the ground.

“Then last week, president Macron made the out-of-the blue decision to pay an 18 hour-visit to Kanaky-New Caledonia, to ease tensions and resume talks with local parties to build a new political agreement. It was no more than a public relations exercise for his own political gain. Even within his own party, Macron has lost support to take the electoral reform bill through the Congrès de Versailles [a joint session of parliament] and his handling of the situation in Kanaky-New Caledonia is being contested at a national level by political groups, especially as campaigning for the upcoming European elections gathers pace.”

“Once back in Paris, Macron announced he may consider putting the electoral reform to a national referendum, as provided for under the French constitution; French citizens in France voted to endorse the Noumea Accord in 1998. For the FLNKS, this option will only put more pressure on the talks for a new political agreement,” reads the article.

“Either way, the outcome of a national referendum on the proposed electoral reform bill – without a local consensus – would only trigger more protest and unrest in Kanaky-New Caledonia.

After Macron’s visit, the FLNKS issued a statement reaffirming its call for the electoral reform process to be suspended or withdrawn. It also called for a high-level independent mission to be sent into Kanaky-New Caledonia to ease tensions and ensure a more conducive environment for talks to resume towards a new political agreement that sets a definite and clear pathway towards a new – and genuine – referendum on independence for Kanaky-New Caledonia.

A peaceful future for all that hopefully will not fall on deaf ears again.”