2023-05-13 15:42:31
It is a feeling, that of an unsaid, which penetrated him during his conversations with the executive, from the Elysée to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: in Paris, we would like the Caledonians to fend for themselves . We would like separatists and loyalists to agree to get out of the rut in which they are plunged, blocked after two major political agreements, Matignon in 1988 and Nouméa in 1998. These historic texts have brought a long peace after the virtual -civil war of the 1980s, but they could not establish the definitive status of New Caledonia, which must now be written – French? independent? partner associated with France?
Louis Mapou, the separatist president of the government of New Caledonia, ended Friday, May 12, a twelve-day political visit to Paris. The first in his position, which he has held for two years.
That the Caledonians manage? He thinks the opposite: “It is the moment of the Republic. The last points under discussion are in connection with the Republic. By asking too much of the Caledonians themselves to find the solution, we risk not achieving it, ” he declared during a meeting with several media including the Monde.
“Provide our needs”
The Nouméa agreement transferred most of the economic, social and cultural competences to the territory. All that is missing is the sovereign, security, justice, defense, diplomacy. “I told Catherine Colonna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that we need to know how France’s Indo-Pacific strategy fits with the reintegration of New Caledonia into the region”detailed Louis Mapou. Because, he believes, Kanaks and Tahitians from Polynesia have “a natural legitimacy”. And the separatist victory in the last elections in Tahiti constitutes “a new deal”.
At a time when the state is conducting complicated discussions to imagine the future of the territory with separatists and loyalists tempted by one-upmanship, “We have to focus on the objective we have set ourselves: the stability of New Caledonia. She needs serenity.” added M. Mapou.
Louis Mapou, 64, a member of the Kanak Liberation Party (Palika), is not part of the delegation of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) which is currently discussing the country’s future institutions with the State, and does not has no mandate from the separatists. But his voice matters. “The request of all the political forces of New Caledonia was that I come to Paris to assert our needs. With the central government, I especially wanted to talk about the management of New Caledonia’s affairs. »
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