As France grapples with the tensions of its colonial past, and the unease in which it is navigating the decolonization process, a pair of French ministers visited New Caledonia this week. French Home Affairs and Overseas Minister Gérald Darmanin made his fifth visit in the last year to New Caledonia this week, with Finance Minister … Read more
Advertisement From July 24-29, French President Emmanuel Macron will embark on a historic journey to the heart of the South Pacific. After his visit to New Caledonia, he will be the first French president to travel to non-French Pacific islands: Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. This highlights a paradox for France in the region: Despite … Read more
Advertisement The tension between France and the Indigenous Kanak population of New Caledonia is set to continue, with the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) seeking advice from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the 2021 independence referendum. The Kanaks make up over 40 percent of the New Caledonian population. They have … Read more
Advertisement Territorial elections were held in French Polynesia on April 16 and 30, during which more than 210,000 voters elected representatives to the 57 seats in the Assembly of French Polynesia. For the first time since 2004, the pro-independence party, the Tavini Huira’atira, won the triangular second round, accounting for 44.32 percent of the votes … Read more