A planned mission to New Caledonia by the Pacific Islands Forum has been put on hold due to some behind….

A planned mission to New Caledonia by the Pacific Islands Forum has been put on hold due to some behind-the-scenes diplomatic tensions. The Forum Troika decided to postpone the mission until after the Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga, in order to resolve some concerns raised by a fellow Forum member

 

This delay comes after months of negotiations and diplomatic efforts to address the complex issues surrounding New Caledonia’s push for independence from France. The situation on the ground has been tense, with protests, clashes, and an ongoing curfew 

Despite the delay, delegations from both France and New Caledonia are expected to attend the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, which may provide an opportunity for further dialogue and negotiation 

 

The Pacific Islands Forum has put on hold a planned mission to New Caledonia due to some behind-the-scenes diplomatic tensions. The mission, which was supposed to take place before the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, aimed to bring together diverse perspectives from supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia.

The delay was announced by Forum Chair Prime Minister Mark Brown of Cook Islands, citing concerns from the New Caledonia Government regarding due process and protocol. Despite this setback, delegations from both France and New Caledonia are expected to attend the upcoming summit in Tonga.

The situation in New Caledonia has been tense, with protests and clashes between Kanak independence activists and French police resulting in 11 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and significant economic damage. The conflict has also led to a breakdown of trust between the FLNKS, French President Emmanuel Macron, and key French ministers.