One year has passed since the violent riots that devastated Nouméa and crippled the economy and social fabric of New Caledonia. The newly elected President, Alcide Ponga, now faces numerous challenges, including deep divisions over the territory’s political future and the possibility of gaining independence from France.
Ponga, who was elected in January, is a local Kanak and an anti-independence proponent. Despite his stance against independence, he has pledged to revitalize the economy and encourage discussions on self-determination for New Caledonia.
Ponda claims that finding common ground is essential as the region begins talking again, acknowledging the high stakes involved.
New Caledonia is a French territory situated in the Pacific Ocean, and the Le Rassemblement party, which Ponga leads, advocates for the territory to remain part of France. He believes that being president was not his initial aspiration but accepted the role to resolve problems without preconceptions.
Despite the current calm, Ponga acknowledges that without a genuine economic recovery and tax reforms, the region is doomed. He remains hopeful that he can bring about change and create an environment conducive to investment, and believes that a strong partnership with France is key.
One of the most pressing issues in New Caledonia is the intermittent path towards gaining independence, which remains a point of contention among the population. While previous referendums in 2018, 2020, and 2021 all resulted in “no” votes for independence, the results of the last referendum are disputed by pro-independence supporters.
The French Minister for overseas territories, Manuel Valls, visited Nouméa in an effort to broker a deal between proponents of independence and those wishing to remain part of France. His visit, however, did not result in a new agreement.
Ponga believes that although independence is not the answer, it is still important for Kanaks to take responsibility for themselves and their lives. He emphasizes his belief in the value of hard work, citing the example of his own children.
New Caledonia relies heavily on its nickel industry, but two of the territory’s three metallurgical plants remain idle. Ponga, who previously worked in the nickel industry, is determined to create a favorable environment that will attract investors.
Ponga is also keen to increase New Caledonia’s influence in the region, developing stronger relationships with countries like Australia, New Zealand, and France. He argues that the region should not neglect its Pacific and Melanesian neighbors and should instead leverage these partnerships to foster growth and development on its own terms.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/13/new-caledonia-riots-one-year-on-president-alcide-ponga
