Respected dialogue figures in New Caledonia express concern over the potential postponement of provincial elections, fearing a repeat of violent tensions from decisions imposed from Paris. Gérald Cortot, Patrice Godin, and Jean-Pierre Aïfa, close to the independentist movement, warn of risks as Parliament reviews the bill. The measure aims to extend discussions until June 2026 for a consensual agreement on the territory's institutional future.
In New Caledonia, key dialogue actors engaged since the May 2024 insurrection are voicing apprehension. Gérald Cortot, former associate of Jean-Marie Tjibaou (1936-1989), ex-president of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), Patrice Godin, a university professor, and Jean-Pierre Aïfa, member of the committee of wise men overseeing the 2018, 2020, and 2021 referendum campaigns, are respected figures close to the independentist movement. These personalities, partly from the 1980s events, fear that decisions made in Paris without proper consultation could reignite violence in the archipelago.
The political context is tense: after a debate cancellation at the National Assembly on October 22, 2024, a joint parliamentary committee (CMP) concluded its work on Monday, October 27. The bill, amended by socialists, no longer centers on the "July 12 agreement" signed in Bougival (Yvelines) between the state, non-independentists, and independentists, but aims to provide time until the end of June 2026 for "a consensual agreement on the institutional future of New Caledonia." Solemn votes in Parliament are expected in the coming days, deciding whether the provincial elections, vital for the territory, will be postponed again.
These concerns highlight ongoing divides between mainland France and New Caledonia, where unilateral choices have historically fueled tensions. Dialogue advocates call for a more inclusive approach to prevent a surge in violence.