Marion Maréchal’s Open Letter to the French Minister of Overseas Territories Regarding New Caledonia
Introduction
Marion Maréchal, a member of the European Parliament, addresses the French Minister of Overseas Territories, expressing concerns about the upcoming visit to New Caledonia and the minister’s recent statements on the island’s sovereignty.
Respected Minister of Overseas Territories,
Your impending visit to New Caledonia on Saturday is a positive step, considering the long-standing sense of abandonment and betrayal felt by the Caledonian people. However, this visit must be accompanied by clear intentions to respect and uphold the decision of the Caledonians to remain an integral part of France.
Rejection of Independence and Continued French Allegiance
The Caledonian people have unequivocally rejected independence and affirmed their desire to remain French on three separate occasions. This democratic will must be fully respected by the state. The gradual concessions made to radical pro-independence groups, aimed at surreptitiously preparing the island for independence, must cease. Speculations about "shared sovereignty" or "full sovereignty" are devoid of legitimacy. The state’s sole duty now is to reaffirm France’s absolute sovereignty. This may require reconsidering the future of the New Caledonian Congress, an embryonic form of independent institutions that no longer has a place.
The French in New Caledonia: Full and Legitimate Citizens
The French people of New Caledonia are not colonizers or expatriates; they are home. They have every right to reside on the land they have helped develop and cherish. The state must provide them with unwavering support and guarantee their rights, as well as those of any French citizen who chooses to settle in the island. Only such an explicit commitment can restore New Caledonia’s appeal and prosperity. Furthermore, in accordance with the Constitution, all French residents of New Caledonia must be granted the right to vote in upcoming elections. They must reclaim their status as полноценные граждане.
Restoration of Order and State Authority
The pro-independence riots of last May caused significant damage, pushing the island’s economy to the brink of disaster. Nearly 20% of New Caledonia’s GDP was lost in a matter of weeks. Schools, businesses, and public infrastructure were destroyed, and many public services still struggle to resume normal operations. The state failed in its duty during these tragic events. Worse, by postponing the easing of electoral restrictions, it acquiesced to the rioters and rewarded violence.
State authority and credibility must be restored by imposing severe punishments on all those responsible for crimes and offenses committed in May. While the desire for appeasement is understandable, a peace founded on impunity and weakness would be nothing more than an interlude for pro-independence activists, leading to renewed unrest.
Combating Foreign Interference
The International Decolonization Front (FID) held its founding congress in Nouméa on January 23-24, attended by pro-independence activists from all French overseas territories at the behest of a radicalized FLNKS. It is well known that this gathering was directly supported and financed by Azerbaijan, a country that has been actively destabilizing France and its overseas territories through violence and chaos.
The fact that such a congress, marred by calls for violence and insurrection, could take place in Nouméa without state intervention is astonishing. This weakness cannot continue. In collaboration with the Ministries of the Interior, Justice, Armed Forces, and Foreign Affairs, you must take appropriate action to end these foreign interferences. France’s credibility in New Caledonia and around the world is at stake.
Mutual Benefits between New Caledonia and France
New Caledonia and France are mutually beneficial partners. Amidst global geopolitical shifts, New Caledonia serves as a valuable asset for France, particularly in economic terms and due to its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region. Conversely, for the Caledonians, including the Kanaks, France represents the best defense against the predatory ambitions of imperialist powers eager to exploit the island’s vast and coveted nickel resources. Who can genuinely imagine that the Caledonian people would fare better under Chinese domination? To effectively counter the pro-independence movement, their false propaganda must be refuted, their contradictions exposed, the culture of repentance must cease, and French pride must be fostered.
Conclusion
Over the past decades, the Caledonians have faithfully adhered to the Matignon and Nouméa accords. They have willingly submitted their allegiance to France to a vote. Three times, they have reaffirmed their unwavering desire to remain French. Each time, representatives of the French government have reacted with unease and discomfort, often characterizing the Caledonian situation as a "dead end." This highly suspicious attitude has created the unsettling impression that successive French governments view New Caledonia as a burden, with independence as the solution for a state hesitant to embrace its power and influence.
I hold the opposite view: the referendums in which the Caledonians have consistently expressed their attachment to France do not lead to a dead end but rather create a tremendous opportunity that must be embraced, supported, and strengthened.
This, Minister, is the message you should deliver to the Caledonian people. However, anticipating that you may not, I seize this opportunity to declare it myself, with vigor and determination: No, French New Caledonia is not a burden but a gem, an asset that we intend to defend, preserve, and enhance. We will never abandon it!
