Leaders of four Pacific nations have finished a three-day fact-finding visit to Noumea, eager to assist find a diplomatic solution to the dispute which centres on the country's independence.
Riots and looting broke out in May following reforms that would allow long-term French settlers to vote, which pro-independence groups say will disenfranchise indigenous Kanaks.
In response, colonial power France sent around 6000 armed police to quell hostilities, arresting thousands in a crackdown that has alarmed human rights groups.
France also abandoned its voting reforms, which also helped stop much of the violence, without solving the deeper issue.
This week, leaders of Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga and Solomon Islands, along with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) secretary general Baron Waqa visited Noumea on a strictly observational trip, agreed by France and New Caledonia.
Forum Troika plus leaders are in — Pacific Islands Forum (@ForumSEC) #NewCaledonia conducting a fact-finding mission to assess the situation on ground.Upon arrival, the leaders were taken to areas around Noumea that were badly destroyed following recent unrests - incl a public hospital and commercial centre. pic.twitter.com/jjU0Ojy8I8October 27, 2024
A PIF statement, reported by Reuters, said the group met religious leaders, mayors, womens representatives and educators, also visiting a technical school, hospital and commercial district which were badly damaged.
New Caledonia President Louis Mapou, who favours greater autonomy from France, told local journalists the visiting Pacific leaders drew on their country's own varied experience to show different governance models.
"The Cook Islands, which are in free association with New Zealand. Tonga, a country that was never colonised," Mr Mapou said, as reported by Radio NZ.
New Caledonia President Louis Mapou in Nuku'alofa in August. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
"The Solomon Islands, which have experienced inter-ethnic conflicts in the northern part, where youth played a significant role.
"And finally, Fiji, which gained independence, decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth, and is now re-evaluating its connection with the British Crown.
"They pointed out that in each of these histories, it was often the internal decisions of the populations involved that ultimately shaped the choices made about their country's future."
Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who led the delegation, said the group was not there to "judge or to tell them what to do".
"I do believe that there is a way of having some sovereignty and control of your country. There are various models in the Pacific - you have Niue and Cook Island (and) then you have American Samoa," he said, as reported by Radio NZ.
"We are not the ones who will tell (New Caledonia) what is working and what is not. We respect their sovereignty."
The PIF-sponsored mission is expected to make a public report of its findings.
AAP
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