New Caledonia chooses France but separatist camp progresses

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe arrived Monday in New Caledonia, where he comes to meet the political forces, the day after a self-determination referendum that saw the victory of maintaining in France, despite a strong breakthrough separatists.

Edouard Philippe, who comes from Vietnam, must meet in turn each political force present at the Congress of New Caledonia.

It wants to continue the dialogue of reconciliation initiated since 30 years after the quasi-civil war of the 80s between the Kanak, indigenous people of the territory, and the Caldoches, population of European origin, and to discuss with each part of the future of this territory strategic, which has significant reserves of nickel and represents the last European territory in the area following Brexit.

New Caledonia chose Sunday to remain in the French fold with 56.4% of the vote in a referendum of historic self-determination, according to President Macron a "mark of confidence in the Republic."

But the separatists (with 43.6% for the yes), that the polls gave largely losers, have instead created the surprise and consolidated their position, including filling the Kanak voices on the mainland.

The participation was mbadive, with 80.63% of voters.

The head of government, which is the second visit on the Caillou, must speak at the end of the day before the press (Monday morning in Paris). Previously he will travel to the north, to meet two figures of independence, Paul Néaoutyine president of the northern province of New Caledonia and Daniel Goa, president of the Union Calédonienne.

His visit marks the attention of the government for the New Caledonian territory, after the intervention Sunday of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, who said in a televised speech his "immense pride that we spent together this historic stage” and that "the majority of Caledonians chose France".

The Head of State added that there was now "no other way than that of dialogue” and invited "everyone to look to the future".

"Prepare the bride"

Strong of their score, the partisans of a break with the metropolis as soon as Sunday reaffirmed their will to go to the end of the agreement of Noumea (1998) and to request the organization of two other referendums in the four years to come, as provided by the agreement.

According to Louis Mapou, head of the UNI-FLNKS group at the Congress, "the separatists are even more motivated than before to ask for the second and third referendum, and tomorrow we will prepare the bride so that she will be even more beautiful in 2020" , he told AFP.

"We are on the brink of victory, and we have two consultations to come," said Alosio Sako, president of the Pacific Democratic Rally (FLNKS).

In fact, the atmosphere was more festive Sunday night among the losers than the winners. "It is those who lost who are celebrating," said Philippe Gomès, leader of the main non-independence party, Caledonia Ensemble (moderate right) at 1:00 am in a desert headquarters.

The three loyalist parties, highly divided, had put forward the protection afforded by France and its 1.3 billion euros of annual aid, and hoped that a broad victory away the prospect of new referendums.

Philippe Michel, Secretary General of Caledonia Together, "continues to think that it is better if we can do without a second and a third referendum", but that he would not oppose the agreement of Nouméa , which is "constitutionalized".

"Is New Caledonia really four years old to lose?" Asked Sonia Backès, president of the group Republicans in Congress. She pleads to "find a solution and replace this second and third referendum” in order to "finally stabilize New Caledonia".

incidents

According to Pierre-Christophe Pantz, PhD in geopolitics, it is "clear that we do not discuss the same way when we do 43% rather than 30%". "This will force non-independence to review their copy," adds the expert.

Sunday's referendum was intended to continue the work of reconciliation, begun with the 1988 Matignon Agreement, between the Kanaks and the Caldoches. These agreements were signed after the violence of the 1980s, which culminated in the taking of hostages and the badault on the Ouvéa cave in May 1988 (25 dead).

The evening was embellished with a series of incidents, the most significant of which was the burning of an old pet store in the center of Nouméa, without it being possible for the time to make the link with an act criminal or with the referendum.

In Nouméa's popular northern neighborhoods, several cars were also burned and "crushing facts"” have been reported.

In the run-up to the vote, the authorities feared that a victory of the no could encourage part of the Kanak youth, marginalized, to overflow, while the inequalities between the different communities remain glaring.

04/11/2018 23:20:10 –
Nouméa (AFP) –
© 2018 AFP