independence victory complicates Paris strategy in Indo-Pacific

2023-05-01 15:00:07

In the polling station of the atoll of Takaroa, Tuamotu archipelago, during the second round of territorial elections in Polynesia, Sunday April 30, 2023. NATHALIE GUIBERT FOR “THE WORLD”

The victory of “blue” of the independence party of Oscar Temaru in the second round of the territorial elections of French Polynesia, Sunday April 30 – Monday 1^is May in mainland France – with 44.29% of the vote, according to the provisional results published by the High Commission, is not likely to please Paris, which boasts of its strategy of “stabilizing power” in the Indo-Pacific. The archipelago of the Pacific rocks, when, because of the hard positions of the independence camp, the discussions on the status of New Caledonia resume with difficulty.

The two territories, with many links, come together. “After the elections, the UN will ask France to open discussions on decolonization”, thus assured on April 26 on the Polynesia channel the 1st, Antony Géros, vice-president of Tavini, who embodies its radical line. The Indo-Pacific axis? “It reminds me of the days of nuclear testing. Is it reason of state? Is this in France’s interest in Polynesia? » questioned Moetai Brotherson, the candidate at the top of the list, also a member of the National Assembly where he chairs the delegation to the overseas territories, on April 23, on TNTV. “We want to be involved, as long as we have French ties”, he indicated. Independence will depend on a vote of the Polynesians, according to him: “What is unknown to us is the daily life of 193 countries. Independence is the standard, not the exception. »

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers In Polynesia, the victory of the separatists, a first step towards a referendum on self-determination

“With the second exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world and permanent means of sovereignty called to be reinforced”there is no need to recall the strategic importance of the region, said Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on the frigate Prairial, stopover in South Korea on April 24. Polynesia represents almost half of the 11 million km² of France’s precious EEZ. “Here is FrancePresident Emmanuel Macron said on July 27, 2021 in Papeete. Woe to the little ones, to the isolated, to those who will come under the influence of hegemonic powers. »

Clear message in the direction of separatists tempted to rely on China, in particular Oscar Temaru, their historical leader. According to our information, the French services have not noted any Chinese interference in these elections. But Beijing is in ambush, as Cleo Paskal, a Canadian researcher specializing in the Indo-Pacific, reminds us: “We know that in other places China has provided support for separatists – including financially supporting secessionist movements in the Federation of Micronesian States. » According to her, “the situation of a weakened France in the Pacific would greatly benefit Beijing – it could neutralize the projection of military assets based in New Caledonia and increase China’s access to the Polynesian hub, strategically crucial and for maritime freight . »

You have 33.26% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.