Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty

The negotiations for New Caledonia’s sovereignty have hit a roadblock following the rejection of the Bougival draft agreement by the pro-independence Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) [1][2][4]. The FLNKS refuses to participate in the "drafting committee" intended to legally implement the Bougival deal, which they consider incompatible with their goal of full independence. Instead, the FLNKS is demanding a new "Kanaky Agreement" to be signed before 24 September 2025, which would initiate a transitional period toward full sovereignty, rejecting any compromise short of total independence.

The Bougival text outlines the transfer of some sovereign powers such as currency, justice, and policing. However, the demands from the FLNKS for full sovereignty remain unmet [1][3]. Despite initial signatures by some FLNKS negotiators on the Bougival agreement in July 2025, the party later withdrew support and nullified their mandates, declaring a block rejection of the deal as a "lure" on the self-determination issue.

French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, who supports the Bougival process, has engaged in last-minute talks with the FLNKS to bring them back to the negotiation table but so far without success. The French government considers the rejection an impasse but insists on continuing dialogue [1][2][3].

The composition of the provincial assemblies, as determined by the elections, is crucial for New Caledonia's political power. The Bougival agreement proposes delaying the provincial assembly elections once more, this time to mid-2026, a move strongly opposed by the FLNKS. The FLNKS insists that any talks related to the new agreement should be under the supervision of FLNKS president Christian Tein, who was released from prison in June after being barred from returning to New Caledonia while under investigation over last year’s unrest [1][2].

Meanwhile, the Oceanian Awakening party, which takes a neutral stance on the independence question, supports the Bougival agreement. Two moderate pro-independence parties, Palika and the Progressive Union of Melanesia, also back the Bougival agreement and have quit the FLNKS [1]. However, the Labour Party, also on the FLNKS political bureau, has stated that they will not participate in the drafting committee proposed by the Minister for Overseas Territories [2].

Tensions over the issue are still fresh, as protests against electoral changes and independence delays in May 2024 spiraled into violence, leaving 14 dead and causing damage worth several billion euros. The ongoing standoff between the French government and the FLNKS raises questions about the future of New Caledonia's sovereignty and the potential for further unrest in the region.

[1] Le Monde (2025). "La réjection de l'accord de Bougival par les indépendantistes met en péril les négociations sur l'avenir de la Nouvelle-Calédonie." [Online]. Available: https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2025/08/18/la-rejection-de-l-accord-de-bougival-par-les-independantistes-met-en-peril-les-n egociations-sur-l-avenir-de-la-nouvelle-caledonie_6016481_3212.html

[2] The Guardian (2025). "New Caledonia's independence talks in limbo after FLNKS rejection of Bougival draft agreement." [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/21/new-caledonia-independence-talks-in-limbo-after-flnks-rejection-of-bougival-draft-agreement

[3] France 24 (2025). "Manuel Valls vows to salvage New Caledonia deal as FLNKS rejection looms." [Online]. Available: https://www.france24.com/en/20250817-manuel-valls-vows-to-salvage-new-caledonia-deal-as-flnks-rejection-looms

[4] Al Jazeera (2025). "New Caledonia's independence referendum: A brief explainer." [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/08/new-caledonia-independence-referendum-brief-explainer-250821083841787.html

Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty