23 Aug 2021

Independence referendum campaigns launched in New Caledonia

6:28 pm on 23 August 2021

New Caledonia's pro and anti-independence camps have launched their campaigns for the third and final referendum on independence from France.

Anti-independence campaign unveils no logo

Anti-independence campaign unveils no logo Photo: supplied FB

In 2018 and 2020, a majority voted against independence, but the winning margin shrank from 56.7 percent to 53.3 percent.

A senior member of the pro-independence FLNKS Aloisio Sako has told its weekend meeting in Noumea that a victory in December is possible as last year 25,000 people didn't vote.

In Bourail, the largest cohort of the anti-independence camp launched its campaign by rebranding its movement as 'The Voices of the No'.

The president of the Southern province, Sonia Backes, said fortunately a French document sets out what the consequences of a yes-vote will be, and this shows those who are hesitant that New Caledonia is not ready for France to leave.

The FLNKS flag widely used in New Caledonia

The FLNKS flag widely used in New Caledonia Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel

Although the Noumea Accord stipulates a two-year gap between the votes, the overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu agreed to the wishes of the pro-French camp for an early plebiscite and set the referendum date for December 12th.