New Caledonia faces escalating violence, political strife Ahead of Pacific Islands Forum

New Caledonia is grappling with escalating violence and political unrest as regional leaders prepare for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting next week in Tonga.

The situation has been exacerbated by recent turmoil and political disputes, with a fact-finding mission to address these issues being postponed, diminishing hopes for an immediate resolution, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The crisis, which intensified following voting reforms imposed by France, has led to widespread violence and ten fatalities since May. Efforts to resolve the conflict included diplomatic talks involving three Pacific prime ministers—Fiji’s, Tonga’s, and the Cook Islands’—who were expected to visit Noumea for discussions with local leaders.

However, the postponement of these crucial talks casts doubt on whether they will occur before the Forum, potentially prolonging the standoff.

Radio New Zealand reports growing discord between France and New Caledonia regarding the arrangements for the fact-finding mission. Despite both sides planning to attend the PIF, New Caledonia's full membership allows it to actively participate in discussions.

Pro-independence leaders from New Caledonia, including President Louis Mapou and Congress President Roch Wamytan, are set to highlight their grievances at the Forum. Wamytan has criticized France’s unilateral handling of the mission, accusing the French government of attempting to control the mission’s scope and outcome while only condemning the violence.

The tension remains high as Wamytan voiced concerns over perceived disrespect towards New Caledonia, emphasizing that the Pacific Islands Forum should not be diminished. Despite these challenges, French government sources suggest that arrangements for the visit might still be feasible if both parties can come to an agreement.

The surge in violence earlier this year prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to visit New Caledonia, deploying additional police forces to address the unrest. The ongoing crisis is rooted in longstanding grievances related to governance and French policies affecting the territory.

As the PIF Leaders Meeting approaches, the outcome could either advance efforts toward resolution or mark another setback for New Caledonia’s quest for self-governance. With the eyes of the Pacific region on Tonga, regional leaders face significant challenges in addressing the unrest and fostering meaningful dialogue.