New Caledonia

The Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front (FLNKS) of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, urged French President Emmanuel Macron to drop a plan for electoral reform modifications.

About New Caledonia:

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

Island History:

1. Originally inhabited by the Kanaks, New Caledonia came under French control in 1853.
2. Post-WWII, Kanaks gained French citizenship, but the influx of French migrants in the 1960s resulted in Kanaks becoming a minority, sparking an independence movement.
3. Tensions over independence led to the Matignon Agreements (1988) and the Nouméa Accord (1998), which promised 3 independence referendums.
4. Referendums held in 2018, 2020, and 2021 favored remaining part of France, despite concerns expressed by the Kanaks, especially during the 2021 referendum amid COVID-19 concerns.

Significance of New Caledonia to France:

1. Strategic location: New Caledonia's location in the South Pacific offers France a valuable military and geopolitical presence in a region of growing global interest, particularly considering China's increasing influence.
2. Economic resources: The island possesses rich natural resources, especially nickel, which is essential for various industries such as manufacturing and technology.

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