A year after the deadly riots destroyed Nomia and destroyed the economic and social fabric of New Caledonia, the newly elected President Alcide Ponga faced a range of challenges, including in-depth challenges in the political future of the territory and the prospect of independence from France.

Ponga was elected in January as an indigenous Kanak who is also anti-independence. The 49-year-old former Nickel executive and mayor vowed to get the economy back on track and support discussions about independence.

"We need to find a way out. We have been there for years because of the (independence) referendum.

New Caledonia is a territory of France, located in the Pacific Ocean. Ponga leads the Le Rassmblement party, which hopes to keep New Caledonia in France.

"Being president is not necessarily what I want. But I was appointed to solve the problem. I brought them one by one to the point where there was no preconceived idea," said the Kouaoua native.

In an extensive interview with Guardian to mark the turmoil’s anniversary, Poonja discussed the independence debate, the economic crisis and how to rebuild the important nickel industry. Panga also said New Caledonia could play a bigger role in the region and hopes to build relationships with partners such as Australia and New Zealand.

France's plan to change voting rules and spark tensions in the indigenous Kannac community, erupting in May 2024 in the archipelago, accounting for about 41% of the population. 14 people, mainly Kanak, were killed and the riots were estimated to cause losses of US$2.4 billion (2.2 billion euros). Key nickel industries and other businesses have been severely damaged, and unemployment levels have soared. Due to the riots, one in five workers lost all or part of their income, and many workers remained unemployed.

More than 10,000 people have left the territory since the outbreak of the riot. For areas with a population of about 270,000, drainage can have serious consequences. There is a shortage of doctors and nurses and health services are under severe pressure.

"We all need to face our responsibility for what is happening and look to the future," Ponga said.

"Even if calm recovers, without a real economic recovery and tax reform, we are dead. That's what my government has to do," he said.

The path to independence continues to divide the population, and political dialogue on the topic remains tense.

According to the terms of the Nomia Agreement signed in 1998, the Caledonians held three referendums on French independence. In 2018, referendums held in 2020 and 2021 received a "no" vote, but the result of the last referendum was proposed by the pro-independence movement.

French Overseas Territory Minister Manuel Valls visited Nouméa in April and May, hoping to reach an agreement between independent supporters and supporters on the road ahead.

Valls left the territory last week without reaching a new deal. Certain suggestions were seen as open doors for independence and caused anger from supporters including Ponga, who participated in crucial discussions.

Ponga was chosen by the Loyalists Party to represent them, and still has confidence in New Caledonian's ability to reach an agreement in the coming months.

In the 1970s, elders in the territory agreed. "They want things to move so they can take control of their lives, which is their liberation strategy. You don't have to be an independent to take responsibility for yourself. I'm not an independent, but I'm still Karnak."

“Then, the independence issue came up and stopped everything, and since then we spent time dancing on the table without doing anything.”

Restoring a weak economy remains one of Ponga's most immediate challenges.

Nickel is the lifeblood of the archipelago economy Two of the country's three metallurgical plants remain idle. According to a report by Overseas Questions (IEOM), nickel produced in New Caledonia accounts for about 8% of world reserves.

Ponga has a background as a nickel industry executive and says the territory’s strategy for this important reserve remains static and lacks flexibility.

"If we want to bring back investors, we will have to recreate the conditions of attractiveness. Without France, this would be impossible."

To run the country's affairs during the term of office, Ponga intends to rely on "three values ​​I teach children: work, work and work".

The president often mentions the land he grew up in, his roots. He proudly showed photos of him and his children continuing to work on his phone photos of his bananas, yams and potato fields.

He also saw opportunities for New Caledonia’s influence in the region.

He asserted: “We play an important role.”

"We have overlooked the neighbors of the Pacific and Melanesia. However, New Zealand, Australia and France are partners and we need to use these connections to develop our own axis of relationships and do things at our own level."

“We need to take our responsibilities and move forward.”