New Caledonia: An infinite pause in decolonization?

Abstract

New Caledonia remains one of very few dependent territories with significant pressure for political independence, albeit primarily from the indigenous Melanesian population who now constitute less than half the population. Strong pressure in the 1980s for independence from France eventually resulted in the Matignon Accord (1988) that sought to decentralize political power and stimulate regional and rural development. The latter was unsuccessful, a proposed referendum on Independence in 1998 was never held, and divisions appeared within the pro-independence, largely Melanesian, FLNKS coalition. In 1998 a new Noumea Accord followed, which set out a 15-20 year period for the transition to independence, and further sought regional development. However, limited economic development, increased unemployment, the expansion of squatter settlements on the fringes of Noumea, and a more artificial economy, dependent on French support, resulting in new and much resented migration to New Caledonia, followed. Opposition to independence from non-Melanesians remained implacable, and new tensions surfaced between migrant Polynesians and Melanesians. There was little political power sharing between the pro- and anti-independence groupings, although the radical pro-independence party, PALIKA, gained strength in the Territorial Congress. New and bitter divisions within the FLNKS replicated pre-colonial Melanesian ethnic and linguistic divisions, and made any consensus on strategies to achieve independence difficult. Despite greater autonomy, New Caledonia has moved little closer to independence after two decades of struggle.