France has reached an agreement with Pacific leaders on the terms of a fact-finding mission to New Caledonia, following months of deadly violence in the French territory.
Speaking to Journalists in Nuku’alofa Thursday, France’s Ambassador to the Pacific, Veronique Roger-Lacan, confirmed that Paris is ready to welcome the mission to the riot-hit territory.
“We came here to reiterate France’s state of readiness to welcome this mission, out of information sharing and transparency,” said Roger-Lacan.
“We have taken the first step, which is to agree on some terms of reference. The mission will be an information mission composed of the Troika plus – the new Troika: Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Tonga, and Solomon Islands, plus Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.”
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a group of 18 nations that includes New Caledonia as a member, had planned a visit earlier in August, but the trip was derailed by disagreements over its scope and purpose.
The mission will now proceed under new terms, with details on timing and duration to be decided following the Forum Leaders’ Meeting.
Roger-Lacan emphasised that discussions between the PIF, France, and the government of New Caledonia are ongoing to finalise the mission’s details.
“This is what we’ve discussed in this meeting and what PIF leaders will discuss today,” she added.
Meanwhile, local voices like Reverend Billy Wetewea, a pastor at the Protestant Church of Kanaky New Caledonia, shed light on the ground realities.
“Tensions are still high,” said Wetewea, who has been supporting local youth amidst the unrest.
“We have lost so much already in terms of life, but also belongings, and a lot of our businesses have been destroyed. The feeling on the ground is that there is no moving back; the way is to move forward.”
With more than 800 businesses damaged and up to 25,000 people out of work, New Caledonia faces economic and social chaos. However, Wetewea sees a silver lining, “This situation is an opportunity to rethink what has not worked for our people since the signing of the Nouméa Accord in 1998.”
“Through this crisis, we are seeing a transformation, a chance to rethink our education, our economic development, and our systems to be fairer to our people,” he said.
As the Pacific Leaders deliberate, France’s commitment to the fact-finding mission marks a potential turning point in addressing the unrest that has gripped New Caledonia.
