Diplomatic Efforts Urged to Resolve New Caledonia Crisis Amid Violent Protests

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, calls for increased diplomacy to address the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia, sparked by French electoral reforms. Indigenous Kanaks are protesting against these changes fearing it will affect future independence referendums. The Pacific Islands Forum seeks to mediate the situation.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the necessity of "more diplomacy, more engagement, more compromise" to resolve the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia, which has seen violent protests since May. These protests erupted after France approved reforms that would allow thousands more French residents to vote, prompting Paris to deploy military forces to the territory.

The indigenous Kanak population fears that the electoral reform could dilute their votes, complicating any future referendum on independence. Peters acknowledged the deadlock, noting that the violence and democratic challenges have reopened old wounds. He made his remarks during a speech at the PALM10 summit in Tokyo, urging the Pacific Islands Forum to find suitable mechanisms and people to facilitate resolution.

In a related statement, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, comprising Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, expressed its desire to foster a conducive environment for dialogue in New Caledonia. The group also voiced concerns over the territory's militarization and the deportation of protest leaders to France, condemning the destruction of property and the resulting economic damage.

(With inputs from agencies.)