On May 8, 2026, the "Asia Pacific Report" website published an article dedicated to the provincial elections scheduled for June 28, 2026, in Kanaky (New Caledonia) and France's colonial policy.
According to Oxu.Az, the article references a post shared on the social media account of the Baku Initiative Group (BGI), covering issues raised by BGI regarding France's repressive colonial policy against the Kanak people and the restriction of indigenous rights.
The article notes that the French Prime Minister's decision to officially announce the provincial elections in Kanaky (New Caledonia) is seen as an attempt by official Paris to maintain neocolonial control over the territory and weaken the political will of the Kanak people. This is because the elections will determine not only the composition of the provinces but also the formation of the Congress, government, and future political governance model of New Caledonia. In this regard, the process is crucial for the Kanak people's right to self-determination and the future political status of the territory.
It is worth noting that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) adopted a statement this year regarding Kanaky under French colonial rule. In the statement, the committee warned France about the situation resulting from its colonial policy in Kanaky and expressed serious concern, emphasizing that political and constitutional reforms related to Kanaky should be carried out freely and transparently, with the participation of the local Kanak people.
Ahead of the elections, loyalists, considered the fifth column of the French government on the island, have proposed granting voting rights to individuals born in New Caledonia and their spouses. This initiative could result in the addition of approximately 10,000 new voters, raising serious concerns as it could impact the political representation of the Kanak people and the existing electoral balance.
Note: After the last provincial elections in 2019, the next elections planned for 2024 were postponed three times. The French Constitutional Council announced that the elections must be held no later than June 28, 2026. While Paris presents this process as a technical procedure, the elections are strategically important for the political future of New Caledonia and the Kanak people's right to self-determination.
