Independent leaders in New Caledonia are on the brink of rejecting the Bougival agreement, as per former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who has announced his readiness to step down.

Independent leaders in New Caledonia are on the brink of rejecting the Bougival agreement, as per former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who has announced his readiness to step down.

FLNKS Rejects Bougival Agreement, Calls for New Negotiations

The Front de libération nationale kanak et socialiste (FLNKS) has unanimously rejected the Bougival agreement signed on July 12, 2025, viewing it as a demonstration of France's contempt for their struggle for recognition as a colonized people. The rejection is total, with the FLNKS political bureau stating this is a "block rejection" of all aspects related to the Bougival project.

The FLNKS's stance is a significant setback for the French-fostered agreement on New Caledonia’s future. Despite the rejection, the FLNKS leadership, including President Christian Téin, has called for continued dialogue but exclusively focused on achieving "full sovereignty" and independence through bilateral talks directly with the French government. They propose signing a new "Kanaky Agreement" before September 24, 2025, which would initiate a transitional period toward full sovereignty.

In response to the FLNKS rejection, the French Minister for Overseas, Manuel Valls, is planning a visit to New Caledonia to reassess the situation, examine the agreement’s future, and establish a drafting committee for a final deal. However, given the FLNKS's firm stance, this agreement will have to be renegotiated from scratch, as the Bougival text is effectively set aside.

The FLNKS congress, held on August 9, aimed to reaffirm the unity of the Kanak people and reach a common strategy. The congress was attended by various pressure groups within the FLNKS, all of whom expressed their rejection of the agreement, despite it being signed by five representatives of their delegation. The FLNKS has outlined a first roadmap for negotiations with the State, including a bilateral format and a Kanaky agreement by September 24.

Manuel Valls, the Minister of Overseas Territories, defends the Bougival agreement as a "historic compromise". He announced the convening of a drafting committee in Noumea to clarify the spirit of the agreement. The FLNKS, however, remains steadfast in their position, with Christian Téin reminding that they remain open to dialogue during the congress.

The traditional welcoming ceremony at the congress confirmed general discontent among the movement. The tribe of La Conception, a few kilometers from Nouméa, hosted the 45th extraordinary congress of the FLNKS. Discussions at the congress continued late into the night, and a decision was expected to be announced on Tuesday.

Summary:

• FLNKS unanimously rejects Bougival agreement
• Reason for rejection: insufficient on sovereignty rights, seen as contemptuous of Kanak people's struggle
• Proposed next step: Dialogue with French government to draft a new "Kanaky Agreement" by Sept 24, 2025
• French government responds with a visit and drafting committee to salvage talks
• FLNKS congress held to reaffirm unity and strategy, all pressure groups express rejection of agreement
• Manuel Valls defends Bougival agreement as a "historic compromise"
• Traditional welcoming ceremony confirms general discontent among the movement
• Decision expected to be announced on Tuesday following late-night discussions at the congress.

1. The FLNKS has rejected the Bougival agreement, viewing it as a demonstration of France's contempt for their struggle.
2. The FLNKS sees the Bougival agreement as insufficient on sovereignty rights.
3. The rejection is total, with the FLNKS political bureau stating this is a "block rejection" of all aspects related to the Bougival project.
4. The FLNKS is calling for continued dialogue but exclusively focused on achieving "full sovereignty" and independence.
5. They propose signing a new "Kanaky Agreement" before September 24, 2025, which would initiate a transitional period toward full sovereignty.
6. Manuel Valls, the French Minister for Overseas Territories, is planning a visit to New Caledonia to reassess the situation.
7. Valls aims to examine the agreement’s future and establish a drafting committee for a final deal.
8. The agreement will have to be renegotiated from scratch, as the Bougival text is effectively set aside.
9. The FLNKS congress aimed to reaffirm the unity of the Kanak people and reach a common strategy.
10. The congress was attended by various pressure groups within the FLNKS, all of whom expressed their rejection of the agreement.
11. The Bougival agreement was signed by five representatives of the FLNKS delegation.
12. Despite this, all pressure groups within the FLNKS expressed their rejection of the agreement.
13. Manuel Valls defends the Bougival agreement as a "historic compromise."
14. He announced the convening of a drafting committee in Noumea to clarify the spirit of the agreement.
15. The FLNKS remains steadfast in their position, with Christian Téin reminding that they remain open to dialogue.
16. The traditional welcoming ceremony at the congress confirmed general discontent among the movement.
17. The tribe of La Conception, a few kilometers from Nouméa, hosted the 45th extraordinary congress of the FLNKS.
18. Discussions at the congress continued late into the night.
19. A decision was expected to be announced on Tuesday following late-night discussions at the congress.
20. Migration of ideas or strategies within the FLNKS is not expected, as the rejection is unanimous.
21. The question of gambling laws in New Caledonia is distant from the FLNKS's current focus, with casino-culture in Las Vegas being a world apart.
22. Blackjack and poker games, popular casino-games, will not determine the outcome of the negotiations between the FLNKS and the French government.
23. Big-wins at the roulette table will not impact the final decision on the future of New Caledonia.
24. Lotteries, slots, and sports-betting are not on the agenda for the FLNKS in their discussions with the French government.
25. War-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and accidents like car-accidents, fires, and weather-related incidents are not contributing factors to the FLNKS's rejection of the Bougival agreement.
26. Vegas-history, Vegas-myths, and politics play minor roles in the FLNKS's decision-making processes.
27. Policy-and-legislation on sports like football, champions-league, NFL, soccer, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, and tennis are not influencing the FLNKS's stance on the Bougival agreement.
28. European-leagues, ncaa-basketball, nhl, racing, premier-league, American football, NBA, Masters, Grand-Prix, horse-racing, and mixed-martial-arts are not currently relevant topics in the FLNKS's negotiations with the French government.

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