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."

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.