New Caledonia: Minister visit reduces tensions but prolongs political negotiations
Over 10-14 November, the new French Minister for Overseas, Naïma Moutchou, made her first visit to New Caledonia. Minister Moutchou held talks with pro-independence and pro-France groups, business and employer organisations, and the customary senate. A bilateral meeting was held with the pro-independence umbrella group FLNKS, who maintained opposition to the Bougival Agreement in favour of a swifter move to independence. According to media reporting, FLNKS left the meeting “with smiles” and issued a statement that the Minister understood their position. While other media reports criticised the lack of outcomes from the visit, one significant announcement from the Minister was that the public referendum will be held in February 2026 but before a new constitutional law will be ratified by the French parliament.
Assessment: Minister Moutchou’s announcement turns the February referendum into a milestone rather than a conclusion to negotiations over the territory’s political future. The Bougival drafting committee was originally to produce a new constitutional law to be passed in Paris that would then be voted for or against in the referendum. However, it is likely that February will now see multiple options proposed to measure the wider public’s support, with the popular one then being drafted in further detail. This approach creates time for Minister Moutchou to further understand the issues and will almost certainly keep FLNKS involved in the negotiation process rather than seek to protest against an advancing Bougival law.
Sources: Natacha Lassauce-Cognard and Coralie Cochin, “La ministre des Outre-mer Naïma Moutchou entame une visite décisive en Nouvelle-Calédonie,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 10 November 2025; Natacha Lassauce-Cognard and Claude Lindor, “Un premier jour à la rencontre des institutions calédoniennes pour la ministre des Outre-mer,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 10 November 2025; Steeven Gnipate, Marguerite Poigoune, Natacha Lassauce-Cognard, and Coralie Cochin, “‘Écouter avant d’agir’ : Naïma Moutchou va mettre sa méthode à l’épreuve du terrain,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 11 November 2025; Natacha Lassauce-Cognard and Carawiane Carawiane, “Naïma Moutchou en Calédonie : les indépendantistes demandent le retour des prisonniers politiques et l’amélioration du texte de Bougival,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 11 November 2025; Erik Dufour, Laura Schintu, Lina Waka-Ceou, “Naïma Moutchou en Calédonie : une rencontre décevante pour le monde économique,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 11 November 2025; Valentin Deleforterie and Mathieu Ruiz Barraud, “Direct : après cinq jours de visite pour la ministre des Outre-mer en Nouvelle-Calédonie — suivez l’interview de Naïma Moutchou,” La 1ère / Franceinfo, 14 November 2025; Support Internacional Kanaky (@Kanakysuport), “Communique du BP du FLNKS,” X, 15 November 2025.
