New Caledonia government falls, headache for Manual Valls
The first New Caledonian government led by a pro-independence leader has fallen after the resignation of members from the loyalist Caledonia Together movement on Tuesday, against the backdrop of an economic and social crisis exacerbated by recent riots.
In a resignation letter addressed to Louis Mapou, New Caledonia's pro-independence Kanak president, seen by French news agency AFP, Caledonia Together cited disagreements with the head of government, particularly regarding the financing plan for New Caledonia's reconstruction following the violent events that began on May 13.
Caledonia Together, which is affiliated with French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, also criticizes Mapou's government, in place for three years, for having transformed into an independent body.
For several weeks, other groups – Pacific Awakening, Rally-The Republicans and the Loyalists – have been critical of government's post-riot reconstruction policies.
"Since the events of May 13, (the) country has sunk into deep economic and social distress. In such circumstances, unity between ... the government and the Congress of New Caledonia, is an urgent need," says the letter.
"I can only note that this has not been the case, and I regret it," writes Jérémie Katidjo-Monnier, who resigned as member of the Caledonian government.
This government was the 17th in the South Pacific archipelago since the 1998 Noumea Accord, which enacted transfer of certain state powers to local politicians.
Read more on RFI English
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