The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is sending a high-level delegation to New Caledonia to assess the ongoing political crisis before the Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga next month.
Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed this during an interview in Tokyo after the PALM10 meeting. Brown stated that the New Caledonian government requested the delegation, and it will require France’s support.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has strongly objected to France’s handling of the situation in Kanaky New Caledonia, and the PIF shares these concerns. Brown highlighted the boycotted third referendum by the Kanak population due to COVID-19 impacts and a mourning period, questioning its validity.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced he will lead the Forum’s fact-finding mission to understand New Caledonia’s issues. Additionally, Rabuka plans to visit Indonesia to discuss West Papua.
Riots erupted in May after Paris lawmakers approved a controversial voting amendment, now suspended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
