Pro-independence MP Emmanuel Tjibaou heads to France this weekend amid Kanak pride in election of ‘big brother’
New Caledonia’s first pro-independence MP in decades has vowed to take the frustrations of the Indigenous Kanak to France’s parliament, saying young people have been “left by the wayside” in the Pacific archipelago. Emmanuel Tjibaou, the son of famous Kanak independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou who was assassinated in 1989, was elected on 7 July as one of two MPs representing New Caledonia. A political novice, Tjibaou’s historic election has been praised by Kanak people and comes after months of unrest over French plans to change electoral rules that many Kanak feared would dilute their vote. The 48-year-old will fly to France this weekend to join the national assembly. “For 30 years, we’ve wanted to develop the country, but too many young people have been left by the wayside, and public policy in [the capital] Nouméa … has been inadequate,” Tjibaou said in an interview with the Guardian. The vote this month saw record turnout in the territory – 71.35% – which usually struggles to mobilise voters for this kind of election. It took place against a backdrop of riots and deadly violence in the territory, sparked in May by plans in France for a bill to enlarge the electoral body for local elections. The move angered Kanak people – who make up about 41% of the population – over fears it would weaken their electoral power and undermine longstanding efforts to secure independence. French president Emmanuel Macron has suspended the controversial changes and tensions in the territory eased in recent weeks, though it has continued to see bouts of unrest. “I got involved first of all because I saw the situation our country had got itself into. I come from civil society, I’m a grassroots activist,” Tjibaou said. While new to politics, Tjibaou has a wealth of experience in the field of culture, having been director of the Kanak culture development agency and, since 2022, director of culture for the north province.
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