Emmanuel Tjibaou’s first major interview (NC la premièree) after his election to the National Assembly was eagerly awaited. For three months, riots have ravaged the Caledonian economy. Here are the main points to remember from the son of the former pro-independence leader assassinated in 1988, Jean-Marie Tjibaou.
• “If we want to lead our country out of the impasse, those who discuss must be sufficiently solid, and discussions must also be nourished by exchanges: with employers, civil society, mayors, customary authorities.”
• “I asked the President of the Republic to stop going round synonym dictionaries and say whether the text on the thawing of the electoral body was withdrawn or not.”
This bill is the cause of the riots. The independentists don’t want the electoral body to be unfrozen, because they fear a massive influx of people from mainland France.”
• “Whether people are happy or not, I’m the MP for all Caledonians. I decided to take on this role because it’s also an opportunity to push forward the project the country is committed to under the Nouméa Accord. In other words, the State must accompany New Caledonia towards full emancipation. “
•”There’s no need to build a separate country. For me, if we are compatriots, if we are nationalists, if we are Caledonians, then we must build together.”
•”The answer is not simply to inject cash, but to rebuild differently. Because if we think that the answer is just to inject cash into New Caledonia’s coffers, we’ll end up with the same problems in 30 years’ time.So we also need to review public policies: youth in the Southern Province, education, housing, etc.”
• We’re also going to have to meet primary needs. There are already people who are eating one meal a day.”
