French minister travels to New Caledonia in bid to save Bougival Accord

French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls is in New Caledonia, where he will hold a series of meetings and negotiations until Saturday, trying to defend the agreement signed in Bougival in July, which should redefine the status of the territory, giving it broad new powers, Report informs referring to French media.

The most important part of the program is negotiations with the leaders of the FLNKS association, which advocates for the independence of the island. Less than a week ago, the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) refused to sign the agreement that was concluded on July 12 with various political forces in Caledonia.

"I am going to New Caledonia to explain, clarify, supplement, convince how necessary this is," Manuel Valls said in an interview with journalists.

"Everyone understands that starting from scratch, without an alternative project, will lead New Caledonia to a dead end."

The Bougival Accords, struck near Paris in July between loyalists and independence leaders, promised to redefine the status of the territory, which has been under French control since the mid-19th century, after more than a year of unrest. But the FLNKS rejected them on August 13 and walked out of the talks. The preliminary agreement envisages the creation of a separate Caledonian nationality – alongside France’s – and the establishment of a “State of New Caledonia” with broad powers over diplomacy, justice and currency, although defence would remain the responsibility of Paris.

The agreement also proposes opening the electoral rolls to residents of New Caledonia for at least 10 years, beginning with the 2031 provincial elections. To take effect, the reforms must pass through the New Caledonian congress, requiring a three-fifths majority plus five additional seats. The FLNKS and especially the influential Union Caledonien (UC) argue that this threshold is unattainable and accuse Paris of creating a disguised veto on further devolution. This is Valls’ fourth visit to Nouméa this year, during which he is also seeking to set up a drafting committee to finalise the agreement.

However, its legitimacy will be difficult to maintain without the participation of the FLNKS, which is recognised by the UN as the representative voice of New Caledonia’s struggle for decolonisation.