New Caledonia has once again been thrown into violence, forty years after the quasi-civil war of 1984-1988 erupted. The ongoing turmoil, starting from May 13, revolves around the issue of who possesses the right to vote on the future of the Pacific archipelago.
The colonial history of New Caledonia, dating back to France’s colonization in 1853, has led to a divide between loyalists, mostly European, and pro-independence parties representing the indigenous Kanak people. The establishment of a “special electoral body” aimed to prevent recent arrivals, predominantly Europeans, from influencing critical decisions in the region.
In a thought-provoking three-minute video by Le Monde, the unique electoral system embedded in the Matignon (1988) and Nouméa (1998) accords is explored. Additionally, the controversial constitutional reform proposed by the government seeks to alter current voting criteria and widen the electoral base, a move vehemently opposed by New Caledonia’s pro-independence movement.