French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls has launched a third round of talks between pro and anti-independence groups in New Caledonia. Amid deepening divisions over last year’s unrest, he warned that further chaos could be in store if all parties don’t shoulder their responsibilities.
Valls began the third round of discussions on Wednesday in the capital Nouméa, determined to secure an agreement on the future of the French overseas territory.
“It’s either an agreement or chaos, and everything must be done to ensure we succeed,” he told Nouvelle Calédonie La 1ère radio, hours after holding separate meetings with the various pro and anti-independence delegations.
Without an agreement, there could be no stability “and without stability, I fear the worst,” he warned. “There can be no new investments, no economic projects, no support for the nickel sector. Caledonia is struggling socially, and there are life-threatening risks.”
The archipelago is still reeling from riots last year sparked by attempted electoral reforms, which left 14 people dead and caused more than €2 billion in damage.
Despite government payouts, the economy is in crisis and unemployment has soared.
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