by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer
France has authorized a significant Pacific “fact-finding mission” to New Caledonia to gather information from all involved parties amid the ongoing crisis.
In an exclusive interview with RNZ Pacific on Friday evening, Véronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador to the Pacific, announced the approval of a troika mission for fact-finding in New Caledonia prior to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
“I have delivered a letter to the secretary general of the PIF, Baron Waqa, and Prime Minister Mark Brown, who chairs the forum. This initiative is positive. It is crucial for all parties to jointly assess the situation alongside France,” she stated.
Roger-Lacan emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue, highlighting that the recent disturbances were caused by a small group opposing democratic, transparent, and fair processes. She also mentioned that the French government has restored security and is actively engaged in the reconstruction efforts in New Caledonia.
Following a request from Forum leaders to French President Emmanuel Macron, a Forum Ministerial Committee is set to visit Nouméa to gather insights from all stakeholders involved in the crisis.
The confirmation coincides with the ongoing meeting of Forum foreign ministers in Suva, preceding the 53rd PIF Leaders Summit scheduled to take place in Tonga at the end of the month.
Charlot Salwai, the Chairperson of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Prime Minister of Vanuatu, expressed support for New Caledonia’s independence through a democratic process.
Regarding the violence that erupted in the territory nearly three months ago, resulting in casualties and significant economic losses, Salwai stressed the importance of engaging with both sides. He emphasized the historical support for the independence of Melanesian nations and expressed solidarity with New Caledonia, emphasizing the need for a democratic decision-making process such as a referendum.
Pacific leaders are eager to dispatch a high-level Pacific delegation to Nouméa before the end of the month.
