French President Emmanuel Macron walks through a door on the day of a meeting with New Caledonia’s elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace, in Paris on July 12, 2025. Tom Nicholson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
French ministers and the leaders of New Caledonia’s loyalist and separatist groups have announced an agreement which should put an end to violent clashes in the island territory. It will also end the hope of independence leaders for nationhood.
After fighting broke out in the French territory over independence in May last year, France sent around 500 additional police officers to reinforce the 1,800 usually present on the island, and deployed soldiers to protect the main port and airport.
