Pacific leaders say decolonization remains unfinished decades after nuclear testing
- Admin
- 5 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Ron Rocky Coloma
Decades after nuclear testing ended across the Pacific, regional leaders and advocates say many of the issues that fueled anti-nuclear and independence movements remain unresolved, from environmental contamination and political self-determination to disputes over who benefits from the region's natural resources.
As the Pacific approaches major anniversaries tied to the nuclear era, speakers from French Polynesia, West Papua, Banaba, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea said the legacy of colonialism continues to shape communities throughout Oceania.
Journalist and researcher Nic Maclellan noted that July marks both the 80th anniversary of the first U.S. nuclear test in the Marshall Islands and the 60th anniversary of France's first nuclear test in French Polynesia.
"The nuclear heritage is linked to this question of colonialism, self-determination, decolonization," Maclellan said. "And this is not a history of victimhood or suffering. It's, in many ways, a history of resistance and survival from the beginning of the nuclear age."
According to Maclellan, more than 300 nuclear tests were conducted across the Pacific during the Cold War era, including in the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati and Australia. Many of the test sites were located in territories that remained under colonial administration at the time.
Dame Meg Taylor, former Pacific Islands Forum secretary general, said resistance to outside control has long been a defining feature of Pacific history.
Taylor pointed to early independence movements and the eventual creation of Pacific-led regional institutions as examples of how island nations sought greater control over their futures.
"I think we've got to keep in mind also the national independence movements," Taylor said, referring to movements in Fiji, Samoa and elsewhere that challenged colonial authority.
The region's anti-nuclear movement became one of the most visible examples of that cooperation, eventually leading to the Treaty of Rarotonga, which established the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
"We say it is a great accomplishment that we were able to pull together to have that," Taylor said.
Yet speakers said many Pacific communities are still struggling to fully understand the consequences of nuclear testing.
Vehia Wheeler of Maʻohi Nui, or French Polynesia, said public knowledge about France's nuclear testing program remains limited despite nearly three decades of detonations in the territory.
"Nuclear testing happened in Moʻohi Nui, French Polynesia, for 30 years, and unfortunately, most of our population has a lot of ignorance towards that because we don't learn about it in school, and we don't learn about it in public spaces," Wheeler said.
She said local organizations, churches and activists continue pushing for greater access to information regarding environmental contamination and potential health impacts.
Wheeler noted that next month will mark the 60th anniversary of Aldebaran, the first French nuclear explosion in the territory. She said the upcoming commemoration will be significant because it will be the first time the territorial government has formally recognized the anniversary, an effort historically led by civil society groups and religious organizations.
In Kiribati, activist Pelenise Alofa described a similar lack of awareness surrounding Britain's nuclear testing program on Kiritimati, formerly known as Christmas Island.
"Not many people talk about it. It's not even taught," Alofa said.
She said some residents affected by the tests have sought compensation over the years, but discussion of the issue remains limited.
ADVERTISEMENT
The conversation extended beyond nuclear history to broader debates over decolonization.
Rev. Billy Wetewea of Kanaky-New Caledonia said recent unrest in the French territory reflects frustrations that have accumulated over decades.
"The issue of colonization is this issue of systems that have been imposed upon us," Wetewea said.
He argued that decolonization is not solely about political independence, but also about transforming institutions that continue to reflect colonial structures.
"The question of colonization and decolonization, self-determination for me, it's not just for countries that are still under colonial power," he said. "It's for all of us in the region."
Wetewea said younger generations increasingly feel disconnected from political agreements negotiated decades ago while continuing to experience inequality in education, employment and governance.
Referring to the 2024 unrest in New Caledonia, he said many young people viewed the demonstrations as an opportunity to voice frustrations that had gone unanswered.
"The main message we get from that is that it's enough," Wetewea said.
Resource extraction emerged as another recurring concern.
Participants pointed to phosphate mining in Banaba, nickel mining in New Caledonia and major mining operations across Melanesia as examples of projects that generated significant wealth while leaving many communities questioning whether they received a fair share of the benefits.
Alofa recounted how Banabans ultimately resisted phosphate mining after decades of extraction under colonial administration.
"It was the landowners who went across to Banaba and said, ' Enough is enough," she said.
Taylor said Papua New Guinea's experience illustrates the challenges many resource-rich nations face.
"We all expected that the benefits of oil, gas and mining were going to be something that would be shared throughout the country," Taylor said.
Instead, she said, many communities continue to grapple with uneven development despite decades of resource extraction.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly issue