A Corsican separatist group, the Corsican National Liberation Front-Union of Combatants (FLNC-UC), has issued a stark warning to tourists and potential property buyers, threatening their safety on the island. The group released a video on Thursday featuring approximately twelve masked and armed members displaying submachine guns and rifles.
"Until our national rights are recognised and respected, we have only one message for them: stay at home," a voice identified as the group's leader stated in the video. "Otherwise, do not consider yourselves safe on our national territory."
The threat is linked to the group's opposition to a proposed autonomy bill for Corsica. The FLNC-UC described the bill as a "masquerade" that disregards the existence of the Corsican people and undermines decades of their demands. The bill, which passed the lower house of parliament in June, is scheduled for examination by the Senate starting in October. The group asserts that the bill denies Corsican identity and will not be accepted by the Corsican people.
Opposition to Influx of Newcomers
The FLNC-UC condemned what they termed an "insane" influx of 5,000 foreigners annually, predominantly French nationals, who move to the island for work or to purchase second homes. The group characterized this as "rampant settlement-driven colonisation," comparing it to tactics used by colonial powers to dilute or eliminate indigenous populations. According to France's national statistics office INSEE, Corsica's population grew by 32,900 inhabitants between 2015 and 2025, an annual increase of approximately 1 percent.
Notable figures who own property on the island include Princess Caroline of Monaco, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, Mick Jagger, and Bill Gates.
Historical Context and Autonomy Bill Details
The FLNC-UC reiterated its objective of "national independence" in the video, while also stating a commitment to supporting peaceful resolution efforts that align with the wishes of the Corsican people. The proposed autonomy bill aims to recognize Corsica as a distinct historical, linguistic, and cultural community, granting its local assembly increased powers while maintaining its status within the French Republic. This initiative follows discussions launched by the French government in response to violent protests on the island in 2022.
The FLNC-UC first gained public attention in 1976, claiming responsibility for 18 attacks during an event referred to as a "blue night," a term for coordinated bombings across multiple targets in a single night. The movement has since experienced fragmentation due to internal conflicts. The most recent "blue night" claimed by the group occurred in October 2023, involving 45 explosions targeting second homes and a former tax office in Ajaccio, resulting in no injuries.
Francoise Gatel, the French minister of decentralisation, described the vote on the Corsica bill in June as "an important step for Corsica and for our democracy."