FLNKS Rejects Elysée-Oudinot Agreement in New Caledonia, Citing Threats to Sovereignty and Electoral Rights

The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) has unequivocally rejected the recently signed Elysée-Oudinot agreement aimed at advancing the political process in New Caledonia. Signed at the Élysée Palace on January 19, 2026, the agreement seeks to facilitate a transfer of powers from the French state to the archipelago, reaffirming Kanak identity and the right to self-determination, alongside a financial support package from France.

Despite these provisions, FLNKS criticized the agreement as a "passage en force" (forced passage) by the French state, accusing it of economic blackmail designed to enforce acceptance of the state's vision. A core element of their opposition rests on the potential changes to voter eligibility, which could dilute Kanak voting rights by extending the electoral roll beyond those residing in New Caledonia before 1998 and their descendants. This issue remains highly sensitive, especially after the violent unrest in May 2024 that resulted in 14 deaths and significant economic damage.

The FLNKS had previously boycotted related discussions in January around the Bougival agreement, which envisioned a Caledonian state recognized within the French Constitution but was deemed incompatible with FLNKS’s decolonization goals. Despite the clear rejection from the FLNKS and the widespread belief that no political accord can succeed without the inclusion of the primary independence movement, Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou affirmed that dialogue remains open.

Proponents of the new agreement are optimistic about legislative approval, anticipating Senate adoption by February and passage in the National Assembly by March or April. Meanwhile, the FLNKS remains committed to pursuing full sovereignty for New Caledonia in accordance with the Nouméa Accord and international law.

This unfolding political standoff highlights the fragility of New Caledonia’s path toward decolonization and autonomy, with the FLNKS firmly positioned against arrangements they view as insufficient for achieving true self-determination.