Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

New Caledonia votes in favor of remaining a French territory

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Dec 2021 12:04
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Pro-independence factions in New Caledonia rejected the results.

  • x
  • New Caledonia votes in favor of remaining French
    The French South Pacific territory will remain a part of France (BBC)

New Caledonia had its final referendum with a majority of votes in favor of remaining a part of France.

The indigenous Kanak community has left a large gap in the polls, with only close to 40% of the territory voting. The indigenous Kanaks make up 39% of the population and Europeans 27%. The rest are either mixed or originate from other Pacific islands.

The South Pacific territory has had a history of attempts to withdraw from France and gain independence, and the result of the vote was boycotted by pro-independence groups.

A coalition of pro-independence organizations stated that they "do not recognize the legitimacy or validity of the vote that was confiscated from them. This referendum did not respect the spirit or the letter of the Noumea Accords."

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the vote reflects the confirmation of France's contribution to the Indo-Pacific.

He added that “a period of transition is beginning. Free from the binary choice of yes or no, we must now build a common project while recognizing and respecting the dignity of everyone."

Related News

France announces State of New Caledonia, except with a twist

Curfew lifted in New Caledonia over 6 months after violent riots

Problematic results

The pro-independence Kanak and Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS) had called on indigenous Kanaks not to vote, claiming that Covid – which has disproportionately affected Kanak and Pasifika communities – had made pro-independence campaigning impossible because entire villages were observing customary mourning rites.

France refused to postpone the referendum after FLNKS leaders stated before the poll that the outcome would be problematic if Kanaks did not fully participate.

Other Pacific leaders, including the Pacific Elders' Voice, a group of former Pacific presidents and prime ministers, urged Macron to "respect the wishes of indigenous leaders in New Caledonia who have called for the deferral of the third independence referendum due to a spike in Covid-related deaths."

On Tuesday, a group of Kanak leaders headed to New York to articulate their dissatisfaction to the UN General Assembly.

New Caledonia experienced independence issues in the 1980s, which resulted in the 1998 Noumea Accord that promised the territory to its indigenous Kanak community with increased political control.

According to the agreement, three referendums on independence can be held. Residents had previously voted in 2018 and again in 2020. This vote was the last opportunity to determine if independence would be gained.

It is worth noting that the territory contains roughly 10% of the world's total nickel reserve and is rich in resources. 

  • New Caledonia
  • France

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS