French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced the agreement on X, stating it would establish a “New Caledonian state that remains part of France.” Though details were limited, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the draft includes broader local authority and the removal of voting restrictions that have long been opposed by the Kanak people.

A joint statement by loyalist political groups “Les Loyalistes” and “Le Rassemblement” declared the agreement “historic” and said it would allow for broader electoral inclusion, a central demand of pro-independence groups. However, the full contents of the agreement have not yet been made public.

Past Tensions And Indigenous Grievances

New Caledonia, located in the South Pacific near Australia and New Zealand, has long been a site of tension between indigenous Kanak communities and descendants of French settlers. Government efforts in 2024 to expand voter eligibility led to riots and accusations from the Kanak that their political power was being undermined.

Despite three prior referendums rejecting full independence, pro-independence leaders accused Paris of imposing constitutional changes without consensus. The new agreement appears to be an attempt to reset relations and find a compromise between autonomy and unity with France.

International observers will now watch closely to see if the accord garners recognition from global institutions and whether it reduces unrest in a region seen as strategically vital to French influence in the Pacific.