Asia & Pacific

French Negotiator Says New Caledonia at Risk of Civil War

Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls arrived in the French territory a month ago for a second round of negotiations, but the sides seem no closer to agreement.
French Negotiator Says New Caledonia at Risk of Civil War
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls greets the families of fallen gendarmes during his visit to the Saint-Michel Gendarmerie Brigade, in the commune of Le Mont-Dore, New Caledonia, Feb. 23, 2025. DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls arrived in New Caledonia a month ago for the second round of talks between the French government and local Kanak leaders to map out the island’s political future.

Last time, he was there between Feb. 22 and March 1, and this time he has vowed to remain until an agreement is reached.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.