New Caledonia

About New Caledonia

• New Caledonia is a French overseas territory located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,500 km east of Australia.

History of Island

• New Caledonia, originally inhabited by the Kanaks, came under French control in 1853.
• Post-WWII, Kanaks gained French citizenship, but 1960s French migration made them a minority, sparking an independence movement.
• Tensions led to the Matignon Agreements (1988) and Nouméa Accord (1998), promising three independence referendums.
• The 2018 and 2020 referendums favored France. Despite COVID-19 concerns, the 2021 referendum also favoured France, angering the Kanaks.

Significance of  New Caledonia for France

• Strategic location: Situated in the South Pacific, New Caledonia provides France with a military and geopolitical presence in a region with growing global interest, particularly with increasing influence from China.
• Economic resources: The island is rich in natural resources, notably nickel, which is vital for various industries, including manufacturing and technology.