New Caledonia votes to stay as part of France
NOUMEA, New Caledonia — A majority of voters in New Caledonia chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence in a referendum Sunday that led the French president to call for dialogue after a three-decade decolonisation effort in the South Pacific archipelago.
In a televised address from Paris, President Emmanuel Macron welcomed “an expression of confidence in the Republic with a deep feeling of gratitude... and modesty.”
Mr Macron promised proindependence supporters “this is with you, all together, that we will build New Caledonia tomorrow” and called on New Caledonians to look to the future.
“We are facing our history in New
Caledonia, an colonial history,” Mr Macron said. “And we are trying to overcome it so that we are not trapped in it. We know that today we are at a crossroads.”
The overseas ministry said 53.3 per cent of voters chose to maintain ties with France while 46.7 per cent supported independence.
Turnout was high, with more than 85 per cent of voters casting ballots one hour before poll stations closed, and some stations in Noumea, the capital, closed an hour late to ensure people waiting in long lines at the planned closing time could still vote.
Sunday’s independence referendum was among the final steps of longstanding plans to settle tensions on the archipelago between native Kanaks seeking independence and residents willing to remain in France.
A peace deal between rival factions was achieved in 1988.
A decade later, the Noumea Agreement granted New Caledonia political power and broad autonomy and planned the organisation of up to three successive referendums.
Two years ago, 56.4 per cent of people in a similar referendum voted against independence. A third referendum may be organised by 2022.
New Caledonian politicians acknowledged Sunday the need for dialogue between pro and antiindependence sides.