French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls arrived in New Caledonia a month ago for the second round of talks between the French government and local Kanak leaders to map out the island’s political future.
Last time, he was there between Feb. 22 and March 1, and this time he has vowed to remain until an agreement is reached.
It comes in the wake of the deadly riots in 2024, where roads were blocked and businesses set alight by protesters, and both Kanak rebels and French gendarmes were killed.
During his first visit, Valls managed to get pro- and anti-independence groups to agree to talks, the first time that had happened since 2021….
French Negotiator Says New Caledonia at Risk of Civil War
