France plans New Caledonia self-rule referendum in 2018

[Vergennes]

Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa: Colonial history left some bitterness towards France

The French Pacific territory of New Caledonia will hold a referendum on self-rule next year, under a deal reached with the French government.

New Caledonian leaders held nine hours of talks with French ministers in Paris on Thursday. The political agreement could pave the way for independence.

November 2018 is the deadline for the vote. New Caledonia, east of Australia, has about 275,000 inhabitants.

In the 1980s there were clashes between French forces and indigenous Kanaks.

The climax of that conflict was when Kanak separatists held a group of French gendarmes hostage in a cave. The French assault cost the lives of 19 Kanaks and two soldiers.

The 1998 Nouméa Accord envisaged a phased French decolonisation, with a referendum in 2018 at the latest. Kanaks form about 39% of the population.

If a majority opts for independence it will be the first French territory to break away since Djibouti (1977) and Vanuatu (1980).

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Thursday's talks "resulted in a political agreement and, perhaps even beyond that, we have trust, which is just as important". He will visit New Caledonia later this month.

He said the government and New Caledonian politicians agreed on the size of the electorate, locations for polling stations and the presence of UN election observers.

But the wording of the referendum question has not yet been decided.

French nationalism is strong among the territory's ethnic Europeans - and that was reflected in the votes cast in the French presidential election in May.

In the first round, in New Caledonia, far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen got more than double the votes cast for Emmanuel Macron, who won in the second round. The voting was nearly 30% for Ms Le Pen, 12.76% for Mr Macron.

In May Mr Macron said he hoped the territory would remain part of France, as "the French presence is necessary to guarantee peace and development" there.

He said New Caledonia was struggling with high rates of unemployment, educational failure, alcoholism and youth crime.

New Caledonia is represented in the French parliament by two deputies and two senators.

It has a congress which elects an executive with powers over some policy areas - notably policing, education and local laws.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41857692

 

[T-123456]

French nationalism is strong among the territory's ethnic Europeans - and that was reflected in the votes cast in the French presidential election in May.

In the first round, in New Caledonia, far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen got more than double the votes cast for Emmanuel Macron, who won in the second round. The voting was nearly 30% for Ms Le Pen, 12.76% for Mr Macron.

Arent most citizens of New Caledonia ''Islanders''?

 

[war&peace]

Oh I must hurry and visit it before Nov. 2018 Any good deal a cheap five star hotel , a business class ticket for a couple, 4 days will be enough
@Vergennes how is it for tourists ? Is it safe enough?

 

[Śakra]

If a majority opts for independence it will be the first French territory to break away since Djibouti (1977) and Vanuatu (1980).

France lost their Djibouti???

 

[Vergennes]

Arent most citizens of New Caledonia ''Islanders''?

The Kanak (indigenious people of New Caledonia) made 39,1% of the pop according to the 2014 census.
Ethnic Europeans represented 27,2% of the pop.
8,7% declared themselves 'Caledonian',but most are ethnically Europeans.
Wallisians and Futunians represented 8,2% of the pop.
Tahitians 2,1%

The rest is made up of mixed people,other asians. (Chinese,Vietnamese.....)

Oh I must hurry and visit it before Nov. 2018 Any good deal a cheap five star hotel , a business class ticket for a couple, 4 days will be enough
@Vergennes how is it for tourists ? Is it safe enough?

The question that will be asked during the referendum has not yet been decided. But this will not necessarily be total independence. It can be a certain degree of autonomy or even becoming a federal or associate entity....

France lost their Djibouti???

A referendum was held in 1977 which saw the people of Djibouti backing independence from France. Two previous referendums were held in 1958 and 1967,but independence was rejected.

 

[Pakistani E]

France lost their Djibouti???

 

[T-123456]

The Kanak (indigenious people of New Caledonia) made 39,1% of the pop according to the 2014 census.
Ethnic Europeans represented 27,2% of the pop.
8,7% declared themselves 'Caledonian',but most are ethnically Europeans.
Wallisians and Futunians represented 8,2% of the pop.
Tahitians 2,1%

So,why do they want independence,isnt staying under French rule better for them?

 

[xenon54 out]

@Vergennes do you think they vote yes? I mean this would mean cutting the funds from France after all...

 

[Vergennes]

@Vergennes do you think they vote yes? I mean this would mean cutting the funds from France after all...

The particularity of this referendum is that if the question is total independence from France and that people reject it,two other referendums will be organized. So the separatists have basically three chances to reach their goals. Obviously the question asked has not been settled yet,but a compromise could be found to satisfy both sides. A federal or associate entity within the French Republic.

A poll held months ago with the question "If the vote took place next week,would you vote for or against the accession of New Caledonia to full sovereignty?" saw 54,2% answering against - 24,4% for - 21,4% don't know. To be taken with a pinch of salt as the sample is very small (476) and the margin of error,high.

So,why do they want independence,isnt staying under French rule better for them?

In 1853,France took possession of New Caledonia,this helped to cultivate and fuel a certain independence feeling in the population. In the 80's New Caledonia was plagued by violent unrest between separatists and anti-independentists. The territory was on the brink of a civil war,which peaked in 1988 when Kanak independentists attacked the Gendarmerie barrack on the island of Ouvéa,killing four and taking dozen of Gendarmes hostages in a cave,which ended after a violent assault and claims of military brutality and barbarity. (Independentists executed on spot,denied medical care...) After those events were signed the Matignon agreements,followed ten years later by the Nouméa agreements,which allows a referendum to be held.

However not all Kanak people want independence though. But at least the question will be settled for good.

 

[Cherokee]

Planning to go there next year. IMHO they are better under french rule. They have no natural resources except Nickel and tourism forms another big sector in economy . They are doing really good and their per capita income is at par with new Zealand however that's extremely reliant on Nickel prices.