Nicolas Metzdorf, MP for New Caledonia, born in 1988 in Nouméa, trained agronomist, founder of the Générations NC party in 2019, elected mayor of La Foa in 2020, MP since 2022, gave an interview to Conflits magazine. A loyalist, he defends a pro-French vision which is embodied in autonomy and is opposed to the independence of the archipelago. Excerpts:
[…] The difference for us, French people from the Pacific, is that we must fight to remain French. In mainland France, people are born French, live French and die French, it's almost obvious. But we must fight so that our children, and even ourselves, remain French. This gives us a relationship with France which is perhaps stronger. I dare say stronger, because for us, France, it is a bit of an ideal, a “grail” for which we are fighting. France represents for us a great power which protects us and which carries supreme values. When you don't have to fight to be French, you don't realize what that means. This is our difference with the metropolitans.
Today, with the Indo-Pacific axis, New Caledonia has significant geostrategic importance. What does this inspire you?
I'm tired of hearing this and seeing nothing being done. We hear everywhere, especially in mainland France, that New Caledonia has a key geostrategic position. It's become a looping speech, but what is actually happening? Nothing. We have a quarter of the world's nickel resources, which we sell to the Chinese, and no Caledonian ore, therefore French and European, arrives in Europe, even though nickel is crucial for electric car batteries. We have an exclusive economic zone of 1.3 million square kilometers, but there are only 16 Caledonian fishing boats, and France does nothing to exploit this zone, neither for fishing nor for underwater resources. Worse, the chief of staff of the armed forces even recently affirmed in committee that France was not cut out to protect New Caledonia in the event of conflict. We voted three times to remain French, and we are told that we will not be defended. Are we third category French? So, we are constantly told about this geostrategic importance, but there is no concrete action.
[…] France lacks coherence. We have had seven overseas ministers in seven years! This proves that there is no long-term strategy. When we see France present on the three great oceans, in all the time zones of the world, with territories endowed with incredible resources, it is frustrating to note this lack of vision. For example, French Polynesia is larger than Europe in maritime area, New Caledonia is as large as Belgium, with a quarter of the world's nickel resources, Guyana is as large as Portugal. France has jewels that it does not use. And if France does not realize the value of its territories, other powers will come and exploit them. […]
Coming to the question of identity, in New Caledonia, the population is often perceived in mainland France as divided between loyalist Whites and separatist Kanaks. Why is it more complex than that? What are the political implications?
It's more complicated, because New Caledonia is very diverse. The Kanak community represents around 45 or even 50% of the population, but there are also 27% Europeans (2019 census), 10% Polynesians, 6 or 7% Asians and mixed race people. The divide is therefore not simply between Kanaks and Whites. The separatists mainly represent the Kanak, because the independence project is an identity project, a “kanako-kanak” project. Other communities, seeing independence as a loss of many things, take refuge in the universalist values of France. However, even among the Kanak, there are differences. Some separatists are radical and rather pro-Chinese, they are the originators of the problems, which makes dialogue difficult, while others are moderate and open to discussion.
You were talking about foreign interference. Are the radical separatists being manipulated?
The radical separatists are not being manipulated, it would be a mistake to underestimate them. They are fully aware of their actions and actively seek external support to strengthen their cause. They are not passive actors. They act with a clear strategy and a well-structured organization. They should not be seen with a paternalistic or condescending gaze, because they are intelligent and determined people, ready to do anything to achieve their objective: that France leaves New Caledonia.
We saw this during the recent riots. This was not just a spontaneous display of anger; everything was planned with precise logistics and an established hierarchy. They even implemented tactics to circumvent police checks, which shows their level of organization. We are not in classic suburban riots, it is a very structured movement and oriented towards a well-defined political goal. […]
The exit solution is to respect the three referendums: New Caledonia is French, and any discussion of status must start from this principle. I am an autonomist, because at 17,000 km, it is logical to want to manage oneself. But the passport remains French, the nationality too, and the status of New Caledonia is part of the Constitution. As long as the Caledonians remain French, we can discuss everything. However, if France is not strong enough to impose this choice, we will not allow ourselves to be forgotten or despised, like the pieds-noirs. We learned from history. […]
