France has approved a high-level Pacific mission to New Caledonia, aiming to gather information from all sides involved in the ongoing crisis. The decision was confirmed by the French Ambassador to the Pacific, Véronique Roger-Lacan, in an exclusive interview with RNZ Pacific this evening.
The mission, requested by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders, comes as PIF Foreign Ministers meet in Suva. Melanesian Spearhead Group chair and Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has voiced strong support for New Caledonia’s independence, emphasising a democratic process.
Salwai stated, “We are family… politically and morally, we support the independence of New Caledonia.”
The crisis in New Caledonia, which began almost three months ago, has resulted in ten deaths and significant economic damage. The mission is expected to visit Nouméa before the end of the month to engage with all parties involved.
