France has agreed to grant greater autonomy to its Pacific territory of New Caledonia, moving the region closer to statehood while avoiding full independence for the indigenous Kanak population. The decision follows a period of significant unrest in 2024, when violent clashes between pro-independence groups and security forces left 14 people dead and caused over $2 billion in damage.
The agreement, signed at the Elysee Palace in Paris, introduces a new nationality status for residents, allowing them to hold French citizenship alongside their new identity. Additionally, the deal includes a financial recovery plan focused on revitalizing the local economy, including the nickel processing industry. The French Parliament is set to approve the agreement in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a referendum in the territory scheduled for 2026.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope for unity and stability, stating: “A State of New Caledonia within the Republic: it’s a bet on trust.” Kanak lawmaker Emmanuel Tjibaou welcomed the accord, saying: “The accord will help us get out of the spiral of violence.”
New Caledonia has a long history of independence movement, dating back to the 1980s. Three referendums held from 2018 to 2021 all rejected independence, though the final vote was boycotted by pro-independence groups due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Kanak population.
Tensions peaked in May 2024 when Paris proposed granting voting rights to thousands of long-term, non-indigenous residents. Kanak leaders argued that the move would cement their status as a permanent minority and extinguish hopes of future sovereignty. Under the new agreement, voting rights will be restricted to those who have lived in the territory for at least ten years.
This development marks a significant step toward resolving a decades-long conflict, with both sides acknowledging the need for compromise. The financial recovery plan and the new nationality status are expected to provide a framework for sustainable development and a renewed sense of identity for the region’s residents.