New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott move

Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly on Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France’s role in the Indo-Pacific, and announced negotiations on the territory’s future status. Separatist activists expressed disappointment or resignation.

They had urged a delay in the vote because of the pandemic, and were angry over what they said were French government efforts to sway the campaign. So, they called on their supporters to stay away from voting stations.

And they did. Official results showed 96 per cent of those who took part chose to stay in France. Overall turnout was just 42 per cent — less than half the numbers who showed up in a previous independence referendum last year, where support for breaking away was 46.7 per cent.

“Tonight, we are French, and we will stay that way. It’s no longer negotiable,” said Sonia Backes, president of the Southern Province region and a fervent loyalist.

The vote was monitored by the UN and regional powers, amid global efforts toward decolonisation and amid growing Chinese influence in the region. New Caledonia, colonised by Napoleon’s nephew in the 19th century, is a vast archipelago of about 2,70,000 people east of Australia that is 10 time zones ahead of Paris — and hosts a French military base.

“Tonight, France is more beautiful because New Caledonia decided to stay,” Macron said. Noting that the electorate “remains deeply divided,” Macron pledged “respect for all Caledonians.”