President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau expressed empathy for the people of New Caledonia, drawing parallels between Palau’s history of colonization and New Caledonia’s current struggles for self-determination. “We want to see them have peace, to live in peace. We empathize with the people of New Caledonia,” Whipps said, recalling how Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States had taken control of Palau before it eventually gained independence.
Whipps emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution, advocating for the right of New Caledonians to decide their future. His comments come as the issue of New Caledonia’s decolonization takes center stage at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga this week.
The situation in New Caledonia escalated in May when deadly riots broke out following the introduction of a proposed French bill that would amend voting eligibility in the territory. The unrest underscored the deep tensions between the indigenous population and the French government. New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, is a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum.