PARIS (AP) — France introduced a sweeping, hard-fought settlement Saturday aimed toward granting extra autonomy to the restive South Pacific territory of New Caledonia, however stopping in need of the independence sought by many Indigenous Kanaks.
The settlement – hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as ″historic’’ – nonetheless wants last approval in New Caledonia, a nickel-rich archipelago east of Australia and 10 time zones away from Paris. The accord could face a vote by New Caledonians in February.
The accord proposes the creation of a ″state of Caledonia″ inside the French republic and inscribed within the French structure, and the creation of a ’’Caledonian nationality″ alongside French nationality, in accordance with excerpts considered by The Related Press.
It was reached after 10 days of negotiations – together with a last in a single day marathon – with representatives of the central authorities and people on either side of the independence query. The talks stemmed from lethal rioting final 12 months prompted by proposed adjustments to electoral guidelines that pro-independence teams stated would marginalize Indigenous voters.
The accord will assist “us get out of the spiral of violence,’’ stated Emmanuel Tjibaou, a Kanak lawmaker who took half within the talks, as he and different sleepless negotiators introduced the accord in a gilded corridor Saturday night within the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.
He described a ‘’tough path’’ forward however one that might permit Kanaks and different Caledonians to maneuver ahead collectively as ‘’us’’ as a substitute of divided.
These in search of to maintain New Caledonia firmly within the French fold hailed the accord. Lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf referred to as it a compromise born of ’’demanding dialogue,’’ and described the Caledonian nationality as a ″actual concession.’’
A particular congress will probably be held to finalize subsequent steps, which may embody extra sovereignty for New Caledonia over problems with worldwide affairs, safety and justice, in accordance with excerpts printed by New Caledonia’s public broadcaster. The accord may additionally ultimately permit New Caledonians to alter the territory’s title, flag and hymn.
Members burdened the significance of rehabilitating and diversifying New Caledonia’s indebted economic system, which relies upon closely on nickel mining, and making it much less reliant on the French mainland.
France colonized the Pacific archipelago within the 1850s, and it turned an abroad territory after World Battle II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957.