New Caledonia establishes final vote on independence from France | Politics News

Voters will go to the polls on Sunday in New Caledonia for the third and final referendum on the independence of the French-led Pacific territory.

The independence movement had made greater progress in the previous two referendums on independence from France 2018 and 2020.

But his decision to boycott the last referendum has sparked disagreement ahead of the December 12 vote.

“We urge our activists and members not to interfere in these elections and to show that we are not against the democratic system,” said Victor Tutugoro, spokesman for the New Caledonian Cane and the Socialist Front for National Liberation (FLNKS). ), A member of a broad separatist coalition known as the Strategic Committee on Independence, told Al Jazeera.

“Even though France has been away for decades, especially from Europe and the Pacific, the immigration of a population under its tutelage has been neglected, with the Kanak becoming a minority in its own country.”

New Caledonia, a former French colony and now a highly autonomous overseas territory, is located in the South Pacific, a three-hour flight from eastern Australia.

The 1998 Noumea Agreement gave him the right to hold three referendums on his future political status, an agreement between French and territorial leaders aimed at addressing political and socio-economic grievances between the indigenous islands known as Kanaks and giving New Caledonia more autonomy.

Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.

Prior to the third ballot, Philippe Gomès, head of the Caledonia Together party, said in an interview with the local newspaper Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes: New Caledonia is tired of living with the exercise of the right to self-determination. We must work together – separatists and non-separatists – to create the conditions for a new Caledonia that is free from independence consultations. “

But the decision of the French Government held the last referendum this month has angered pro-independence parties to avoid next year’s French presidential and parliamentary elections. With the support of the Pacific Island nations, they called for a vote at the end of next year.

Pro-independence parties say the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases this year, culminating in blockade cuts in September and October, and the time it takes for traditional kana mourning rituals in the community, has drastically reduced their ability to prepare. for voting.

The issue of credibility

France has expanded its security contingent to oversee the referendum. New Caledonia has a population of around 271,407, of whom 41.2% are Kanaks and 24.1% are of European descent, mainly French. Those born in the territory and long-term residents are eligible to vote, but now the vote is expected to be much lower than the 85.6 percent who voted last year.

“It is clear that a low-participation self-determination referendum will not have the strength it expected,” Caroline Gravelat, an associate professor of public law at the University of New Caledonia in Noumea, told Al Jazeera.

“The choice of non-participation in the vote by the FLNKS is a real political issue, but it does not affect the meaning of the result, as the difference between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes would probably not be reduced. the “yes” side would win, ”he claimed.

However, Tutugoro is clear that his party will not accept a loyal result.

“We have already announced that we will not recognize this result and will publicly challenge it at the national level in France, at the regional level in the Pacific and at the international level. We have already started an international information campaign … We have emphasized politically that this vote for the decolonization of our people is useless, because we are outside the Kanak peoples, the first peoples, colonized and in possession of the declaration of independence. he told Al Jazeera.

“What credibility could it have without our involvement?”

Kanak’s experiences of socio-economic marginalization, land expropriation, and deprivation of rights led to violent civil strife in New Caledonia in the 1980s.

In an initial referendum in 1987, before the Noumea Accord, pro-independence activists, outraged by the right to vote for the last residents of the territory, also carried out a boycott. The huge victory for France provoked violent protests, and the reconciliation between French and regional leaders ended in the 1988 Matignon Agreement, which aimed to correct inequality and, 10 years later, the Noumea Agreement, which promoted a vision of “shared sovereignty”.

New Caledonian pro-independence president Louis Mapou (left) greeted former anti-independence president Thierry Santa of the right-wing Le Rassemblement party in Noumea last month. Uncertainty arose before the December 12 vote [File: Theo Rouby/AFP]

However, the indigenous islands still suffer from high levels of poverty compared to European origins, and while New Caledonia has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the Melanesian region, at $ 37,448, Kanak is estimated to be about 38 percent unemployed.

In February, the pro-independence parties strengthened their position in the territorial government, in the Executive, in the local territorial parliament, gaining six of the 11 seats. They challenge the proclamation of self-determination, even if the moderates are willing to explore a form of “independence in cooperation with France”.

Loyalists, including Caledonia Together and Le Rassemblement (The Rally), say maintaining ties with France will ensure economic and geopolitical security.

“What worries the pro-independence parties is independence itself. They believe that by remaining within the French entity, New Caledonia will maintain its “independence” or greater autonomy and freedom. In this sense, France is a protective power against foreign interference, “Gravelat said.

The European power also injects 1.5 billion euros ($ 1.69 billion) into the territory each year, which it will remove if it becomes a state.

A new era

Loyalists believe that an early “no” result would boost confidence in the economy, and France warns that a “yes” result will lead to an uncertain future and create an exodus of 10,000-24,000 people from New Caledonia.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also keen to see New Caledonia remain in the reach of France’s maritime power and geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific, as it provides access to large nickel reserves and helps increase its scale. exclusive economic zone.

Sunday’s vote will begin talks on the end of the Noumea Agreement and a new agreement on relations between France and New Caledonia. Another plebiscite is scheduled for June 2023 to approve a new deal approved by the French government after next year’s election.

“The post-referendum period remains open and France will experience a strong election period after the renewal of the presidency of the republic and its national assembly. We will remain vigilant and see how this situation evolves, ”Tutugoro said.

New Caledonia is a land of contrasts with extreme wealth, but also poverty and unemployment, especially among the indigenous communities of Kanak. [File: Theo Rouby / AFP) (AFP)

Volunteers visit the Lelos shanty town in Noumea in September during the coronavirus lockdown. Irrespective of the outcome on Sunday, Kanak leaders want a concerted effort to tackle inequality [File: Theo Rouby/AFP]

Both sides of the political divide continue to promote the idea of ​​a united future.

“‘ Common destiny ’and‘ shared future ’are not an ideal in New Caledonia, they are essential,” Gravelat said.

But Tutugoro stresses that any united future “must fight against social inequality in this country; against the growing gap between poverty and the rich, against fiscal injustice and tax fraud, against money laundering, against school failure … We have constantly stated that we intend to offer all citizens the opportunity to build a future together. it is built on social justice. ”

The breach of the Sunday referendum is a sign of the deep division of New Caledonian society and the risk of frustration and disagreement in the coming months.