Thousands of police officers are set to be deployed across New Caledonia this Tuesday as the French Pacific territory marks the 171st anniversary of its annexation by French forces.
The date has long been contentious, representing a stark divide between loyalists who wish to remain part of France and pro-independence Kanaks, the indigenous population, alongside other groups advocating for sovereignty.
This year’s anniversary, held against a backdrop of some of the worst civil unrest in decades, has raised concerns that recalling the violence and injustice of colonial rule could ignite further protests.
A Divisive Anniversary
September 24 has remained a flashpoint in New Caledonian society since it commemorates the day in 1853 when French Admiral Auguste Febvrier-Despointes landed at Balade, on the northern tip of the main island.
On the orders of Emperor Napoleon III, he hoisted the French flag and declared the annexation of the archipelago.
The annexation order was signed by French officers and Catholic missionaries, but notably, no indigenous representatives were involved. This marked the beginning of a long and painful colonial legacy for the Kanak people.
Historian Isabelle Merle, an expert on colonisation in the Pacific, explains how France’s plan to populate the territory with French settlers had far-reaching consequences.
“The strategy from 1853 was to deliberately introduce wave upon wave of French migrants,” she told RFI. “They tried to transform it into a ‘little Austral France.'”
Following the annexation, New Caledonia was transformed into a penal colony. Thousands of French prisoners and settlers arrived, and the French government confiscated indigenous lands to redistribute them among colonial officials and freed prisoners.
The Kanak people were forced into reservations, marking the start of their dispossession and marginalisation.
For the indigenous Kanaks, the annexation marked the beginning of centuries of subjugation, violence, and dispossession.
Despite New Caledonia’s change in status from colony to overseas territory in 1946, the struggle for Kanak rights and independence has continued into the modern era.
From Mourning to Reconciliation
The pro-independence movement first declared September 24 a day of mourning in the 1970s. As the movement gained momentum, the date became a rallying point for Kanaks and others advocating for self-determination.
Throughout the 1980s, violent clashes between pro-independence forces and loyalists made international headlines, most notably the 1988 Ouvéa cave hostage crisis, which left 19 Kanak activists dead.
This period of unrest ultimately led to the 1998 Nouméa Accord, a political agreement that laid the groundwork for increased autonomy for the territory and set a timeline for future referendums on independence.
In the early 2000s, New Caledonia saw a shift toward reconciliation. The government, led by pro-independence Culture Minister Déwé Gorodey, made efforts to turn the anniversary into a celebration of citizenship and shared identity.
In 2003, for the 150th anniversary of the annexation, the capital, Nouméa, hosted a “festival of citizenship.”
A monumental totem pole called the Mwa Kaa was erected as a symbol of unity, and New Caledonians of all backgrounds were invited to gather in a spirit of reconciliation.
A plaque at the base of the Mwa Kaa bears an inscription from the 1998 Nouméa Accord: “The past was a time of colonisation. The present is a time of sharing, through the achievement of a new balance. The future must be the time of an identity in a common destiny.”
Tensions High Amid Ongoing Clashes
While the official stance since 2004 has been to frame September 24 as a day of unity, the anniversary continues to stir deep-seated resentment among those who see it as a symbol of French oppression.
This year, tensions are particularly high due to recent unrest over proposed constitutional reforms.
The reforms, which address voting rights, have been met with significant opposition from Kanak leaders, who argue that the changes will weaken their political bloc and make achieving independence more difficult in any future referendum.
At least 13 people have died in clashes since May, the most recent incident involving two men who were shot and killed by police in the pro-independence stronghold of Saint Louis last week. These deaths have exacerbated tensions and led to widespread calls for protests on social media.
In response, French authorities have issued warnings against public gatherings on September 24, citing fears of further violence.
An association of customary chiefs plans to hold a ceremony on the anniversary, unilaterally declaring sovereignty over their traditional lands. This move is seen as a bold assertion of Kanak rights and could further galvanise protesters.
Heavy Security Measures in Place
To prevent further unrest, New Caledonian authorities have implemented strict security measures. A curfew is in place from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., and some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes have been mobilised across the territory.
The French government has expressed its commitment to maintaining order, with officials warning that any attempts to disrupt public peace will be met with a firm response.
Théophile de Lassus, chief of staff for the French high commissioner in New Caledonia, urged for calm and unity ahead of the anniversary.
“It’s a celebration that should bring people together around the ideas of shared destiny and citizenship, certainly not divide them,” de Lassus told the local branch of FranceInfo.
“And if some people want to divide and attack New Caledonians, the State will respond very firmly.”
Despite these calls for peace, many fear that the anniversary will ignite further protests and violence, particularly given the ongoing political and social divisions.
Looking Ahead
As New Caledonia grapples with its colonial past, the future remains uncertain. Three referendums on independence have already been held since the Nouméa Accord, with voters narrowly choosing to remain part of France in the most recent 2021 vote.
However, the results were marred by boycotts from pro-independence groups, who argued that the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented a fair and free election.
With tensions high and the issue of independence unresolved, New Caledonia stands at a crossroads.
For many Kanaks, the 171st anniversary of the French annexation is not a celebration of unity, but a reminder of colonial injustices that continue to shape the territory’s future.
As the day unfolds, authorities will be closely watching for signs of unrest. Whether this year’s anniversary will bring further violence or pave the way for renewed dialogue remains to be seen.