New Caledonia Travel Alert Issued Amid Rising Political Tensions
Australia has cautioned its citizens planning to visit New Caledonia to exercise heightened vigilance amidst escalating political tensions in the French Pacific territory.
In contrast, New Zealand has downgraded its travel advisory for New Caledonia, six months after the territory reopened to tourists following a year marked by severe unrest, which had significant political and economic repercussions.
Background to the Unrest
Last year, violent protests in the capital, Noumea, resulted in 13 fatalities, numerous injuries, and arrests, causing substantial economic damage estimated in the billions of dollars.
Rejection of the Bougival Accord
The French Minister for Overseas Affairs, Manuel Valls, is scheduled to visit New Caledonia next week amidst rising tensions.
The visit follows the rejection of the Bougival Accord by pro-independence groups, including the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), who oppose the agreement signed on July 12.
The accord proposed shared autonomy, offering New Caledonians dual citizenship (French and New Caledonian) with limited control granted to the territory.
However, the FLNKS unanimously expressed its strong disapproval of the accord’s terms during a meeting on Saturday.
Australian travellers are advised to remain cautious in the wake of these developments, while New Zealand has adopted a more optimistic stance, citing improvement in the security situation.