19 May 2020

Goa rebuked by New Caledonia's anti-independence coalition

5:47 pm on 19 May 2020

New Caledonia's main anti-independence coalition has hit back at the largest pro-independence party which demanded the French High Commissioner and local commander of the French military leave the territory.

Anti-independence parties in New Caledonia alliance

Photo: Supplied

In an open letter addressed to all Caledonian citizens, the president of the Caledonian Union Daniel Goa, accused the two of failing to respect the Noumea Accord which passed health policy making from Paris to New Caledonia.

He also called for the suspension of all flights to New Caledonia until the emergency provisions drawn up in France over the Covid-19 pandemic are changed to exclude New Caledonia.

The leader of the Future with Confidence, Sonia Backes, replied to say that once more Mr Goa tried to destabilise New Caledonia just months out from the referendum on independence from France.

She claimed he presented a tissue of lies to create a panic so that the international community doubted that France was impartial about the plebiscite.

Ms Backes also said Mr Goa knew that the virus came from China and not Europe.

She said he was leaning towards China with which he wanted to team up on independence.

Ms Backes said one doesn't govern by fear but respecting the people.

While France had more than 28,000 Covid-19 related deaths, New Caledonia has had none.

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