Why a Pacific leaders' tour to New Caledonia is not going ahead

Ten days after French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to support a high-level Troika delegation from the Pacific Islands Forum to visit New Caledonia, the tour will not be going ahead.

This is after New Caledonia's pro-independence President Louis Mapou called for the trip to be "moved to a later date", citing differences between Paris and the local government, which he said was "ultimately responsible" for the PIF mission.

Forum leaders urged Mapou's government last month to allow for a ministerial committee to be sent to Noumēa to meet with representatives from both sides of the conflict following the recent violent unrest in the capital.

A protest by pro-independence supporters on 13 May against Macron's decision to allow new residents in New Caledonia voting rights erupted into clashes with police. Ten people were killed, dozens injured, and businesses torched and looted. Those arrested are facing court trials in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, in Noumēa, days after the 13 May unrest. At left with arms folded is New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou. Photo/supplied

On 10 August, France's special envoy to the Pacific, Vēronique Roger-Lacan, delivered a letter from Macron to incumbent forum chair Mark Brown and forum secretary-general Baron Waqa confirming Macron's strong support for the Troika-led mission.

Brown, who is the Cook Islands Prime Minister, and his counterparts from Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka and the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, were scheduled to travel to the troubled French territory this week.

They were also expected to report to the forum leaders' meeting in Tonga next week.

But the president of New Caledonia's Congress, Roch Wamtyan, said they were not happy with how the forum team's visit was being handled.

In a statement, Wamtyan said, "The French state has decided to control alone the subject and object of the mission as well as its future conclusion.

"The French state wants to see what will come out of this mission and wants the mission only to denounce the violence in New Caledonia."

Pro-independence supporters rally in Noumēa. Photo/supplied

Wamtyan was also head of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (Front de libération nationale kanak et socialiste or FLNKS).

He said Roger-Lacan had stressed that it was obvious that the French state should organise the forum mission since it was "its responsibility".

Wamtyan also said that France's top diplomat in the Pacific did not acknowledge New Caledonia's status as a full member of the forum.

New Caledonia has been a full voting member of the Pacific Islands Forum since 2016. France is one of 21 Forum Dialogue Partners.

Wamtyan said Roger-Lacan also failed to mention that the request for a forum mission was made by President Mapou.

"We consider that the French State is dictating the purpose of the [forum] mission.

"We consider this as an unacceptable form of humiliation. This mode of operation is an anachronistic neo-colonial practice," Wamtyan said.

Ten people have died since the violent unrest erupted on 13 May in Noumēa. Photo/supplied

"What's more is it's difficult to accept that three Oceanian heads of state should be received by a high commissioner of the French Republic.

"Our Oceanian home, the PIF, cannot be so belittled. This is the reason why President Mapou refused to endorse this backward-looking behaviour by the administrative power towards a non-self-governing territory."

Wamytan said the forum leaders had agreed to send a delegation to one of its members and the French government decided to seize the opportunity to absolve itself of any responsibility for the current political turmoil.

"Therefore, President Mapou considers that all the conditions for a successful mission have not been met, which is why, in the absence of any consideration and respect for the government of New Caledonia, it is usually wiser to differ the mission to a later date."

In response, Roger-Lacan said on Monday that France was ready anytime to welcome such a mission.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is expected to release a statement this week.

The 53rd Forum leaders meeting will be held in Nuku'alofa from 26-30 August.

Watch Kanaky Aotearoa Solidarity Network's David Small on Pacific Mornings.