Current Affairs - International - Discussion

In July 2025, France and New Caledonia finalised a landmark agreement aimed at resolving long-standing tensions over independence. The deal grants New Caledonia more autonomy by establishing it as a state within the French Republic, offering a compromise between full independence and continued integration. The move comes in response to deadly protests in 2024 and seeks to preserve peace while protecting the rights of the Indigenous Kanak population. The agreement includes provisions for dual nationality, voting rights based on residency, and future referendums. Strategically located and rich in nickel, New Caledonia remains crucial to France’s Indo-Pacific presence.