Kanak chiefdoms have unilaterally proclaimed their sovereignty over ancestral lands in New Caledonia, raising concern among some non-independence supporters in the midst of a social and institutional crisis across the archipelago.
Over three days this week, ‘Inaat ne Kanaky’ – the National Council of Kanak High Chiefs – held its assembly on New Caledonia’s eastern Maré Island, for the institution’s most important ceremony since its creation in September 2022.
Nearly 200 people – including 17 Grand Chiefs, numerous Kanak dignitaries and a number of representatives of the Fijian, Maori and Vanuatu peoples – gathered for an Assembly of the Kanak People, the high point of which was a proclamation of sovereignty by 28 chiefdoms.
The date chosen for the declaration was anything but a coincidence, as 24 September is the day on which France took possession of New Caledonia in 1853.
It is also an occasion when a “Festival of Citizenship” is held, which has been a source of security concern for French authorities in light of the recent violence across the territory.
The aim of the proclamation – which was not, however, supported unanimously by the Kanak authorities – is to obtain specific resources to implement public policies on Kanak land.
However, supporters of French rule in the archipelago have expressed fears of a unilateral declaration of independence and the expulsion of non-Kanak peoples.
The President of the Council, Hippolyte Htamumu Sinewami, has reportedly assured both Kanak and non-Kanak alike: “There is no question of talking about exclusion. We have already made our common destiny. We have children and grandchildren from several cultures”.
According to Albert Wahoulo, former mayor of the commune of Bélep, speaking on behalf of his chiefdom: “This is a new beginning for the Kanak countries. This new beginning will require a reorganisation of the chiefdoms, which have been ‘damaged’ by colonisation, as stated in the Declaration of Sovereignty”.
The initiative is also in response to the difficulties encountered by the Customary Senate.
This institution, created under the 1998 Nouméa Accord, is supposed to represent the customary authorities, but the Council of Grand Chiefs has often pointed out that it essentially functions as “a government department” at the service of local political parties.
The question nevertheless arises as to how to ensure autonomy for the chiefdoms and enable the funding of projects designed to “contribute to economic recovery and find solutions for marginalised Kanak youth,” one grand chief, Cyprien Poaero Kawa, explained to reporters.
Council president Sinewami insists that the move is “a strong message to the State”, having already submitted a request for financial support under “colonial debt” reparations in 2023, which was not acted upon.
If financial support is not forthcoming, the Council – which now sees the chiefdoms as a community of states – is underlining its ability to cultivate direct relations with neighbouring countries in the Pacific region.
There is also the question of managing the resources of each customary or ancestral land, above and beyond local and national regulations.
Here, the importance of nickel – one of the archipelago’s main sources of wealth – is under the spotlight.
“[Our] heritage is being exploited, but the tribes to whom it once belonged have nothing to live on, or just crumbs.
“Clans have been displaced and settled on uncultivable land,” laments Hippolyte Sinewami, advocating economic development plans that serve the people.
This week’s proclamation will be followed by two major events: from 07 to 14 October, a delegation from the Customary Council and Senate will travel to the UN headquarters in New York for a hearing.
Then, at the beginning of November, a meeting will be held on New Caledonia’s Grande Terre island to continue discussions on the “customary governance model” and to win the support of chiefdoms that have not yet responded to this week’s proclamation of sovereignty.
