New Caledonia

Decolonisation now in Kanaky!

Monday 21 October 2024, by Cathy Billard




A statement on the position of the new French government and state in relation to the extraordinary mobilisation of the people of Kanaky was expected in the general policy speech of the French prime minister Michel Barnier on 1 October.

Since 13 May, the date on which a law to unfreeze the electorate was presented and then voted on, the territory known as ‘New Caledonia’ has been living under an emergency regime, despite months of growing mobilisation and attempts by the pro-independence movement to hold discussions. The vote, which was presented as a democratic enlargement, shredded all the commitments made by the French state since 1988 and the hopes of the Kanak people to finally decide for themselves, completely independent of the interests of French imperialism.

The uprising was such that it prevented President Macron from carrying through with his hasty policy and having the Congress, in which he would have had a majority, vote to ratify this umpteenth hold-up of democracy. And the dissolution, followed by the governmental vacancy, imposed a de facto suspension.

In the end, the prime minister announced what reflects the balance of power on the ground. The social crisis resulting from the paralysis of economic activities by roadblocks and angry demonstrations, as well as the election of the pro-independence Emmanuel Tjibaou to the National Assembly, dictated the announcement of the abandonment of the implementation of the law that had been passed and the postponement of the provincial elections that were to implement it. [1]

This is a first victory for the mobilisation of the people of Kanaky which the NPA-l’Anticapitaliste welcomes. It calls for follow-up action.

Firstly, the immediate and unconditional release of the hundreds of Kanak political prisoners, starting with the CCAT leaders deported to France. Secondly, independent investigations to establish the truth and bring justice to the young Kanaks murdered by the police and militias. As long as the right to self-determination is not implemented, it is not up to the people to pay the consequences of a situation caused by the authoritarianism of Macron-Darmanin-Backès-Metzdorf! Tens of thousands of people are unemployed: we need to compensate for the loss of wages and infrastructure instead of letting the misery deepen!

And of course there is an urgent need to resume the process of decolonisation. The time of the colonies must come to an end!

9 October 2024

Translated by International Viewpoint from l’Anticapitaliste.

Footnotes

[1] Le Monde, 1 October 2024 “Nouvelle-Calédonie : Michel Barnier acte le report des élections pour apaiser une « crise d’une gravité exceptionnelle »”.

France

• Martinique: ‘Our economy is based on a colonial model’.
• France in the grip of multiple crises
• Gender and sexualities: the reactionary offensive of the far right
• Macron scorns popular vote...and puts himself in the hands of the RN
• The permanent instability of a system in crisis

Kanaky

• No to the Darmanin law! Respect for the Kanak people’s right to self-determination!
• Kanaky – put a stop (really) to the time of colonies!
• An insurrectional climate?
• A referendum that is far from a level playing field

• Cathy Billard

International Viewpoint is published under the responsibility of the Bureau of the Fourth International. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect editorial policy. Articles can be reprinted with acknowledgement, and a live link if possible.