France pledges more autonomy to overseas territory after unrest

New Caledonia will be granted “statehood,” but not full independence

France has agreed to grant greater autonomy to its Pacific territory of New Caledonia, stopping short of full independence sought by part of the indigenous Kanak population.

The accord follows unrest in the territory last year, when protests over proposed changes to the voting system escalated into violent clashes that left 14 people dead and caused an estimated €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in damage.

Under the agreement signed Saturday at the Elysee Palace in Paris, New Caledonia will become the “State of New Caledonia,” with its status enshrined in the French constitution. The deal introduces a new nationality status that residents can hold alongside French citizenship and leaves open the possibility of international recognition for the new entity.

The agreement also includes a financial recovery plan focused on revitalizing the local economy, including a renewal of New Caledonia’s nickel processing industry, according to excerpts reviewed by the Associated Press. The French parliament is expected to approve the deal in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a referendum in the territory scheduled for 2026.

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“A State of New Caledonia within the Republic: it’s a bet on trust,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, expressing hope for unity and stability.

“The accord will help us get out of the spiral of violence,” said Kanak lawmaker Emmanuel Tjibaou during the signing ceremony.

Home to around 270,000 people, New Caledonia was colonized by France in the 19th century and has seen a long-running independence movement since the 1980s. Three referendums held between 2018 and 2021 all rejected independence, although 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 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.