New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott

People queue outside a school to vote in a referendum in Noumea, New Caledonia, Sunday Dec.12, 2021. Voters in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia decide whether to break away from France, a referendum that is important for French geopolitical ambitions and is being closely watched amid growing Chinese influence in the region. But pro-independence forces are refusing to take part, accusing the French government of trying to rush through the vote. (AP Photo/Clotilde Richalet) People queue outside a school to vote in a referendum in Noumea, New Caledonia, Sunday Dec.12, 2021. Voters in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia decide whether to break away from France, a referendum that is important for French geopolitical ambitions and is being closely watched amid growing Chinese influence in the region. But pro-independence forces are refusing to take part, accusing the French government of trying to rush through the vote. (AP Photo/Clotilde Richalet)

By CHARLOTTE ANTOINE-PERRON / Associated Press December 12, 2021 5 min read

NOUMEA, New Caledonia (AP) – Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France’s role in the Indo-Pacific, and announced negotiations on the territory’s future status. Separatist activists expressed dismay, or resignation.

They had urged a delay in the vote because of the pandemic, and were angry over what they felt were French government efforts to sway the campaign. So they called on their supporters to stay away from voting stations.

And they did. Official results showed a staggering 96% of those who took part chose to stay in France. Overall turnout was less than 44% – barely half the numbers who showed up in a previous independence referendum last year, where support for breaking away was 46.7%.

“Tonight we are French, and we will stay that way. It’s no longer negotiable,” said Sonia Backes, president of the Southern Province region and a fervent loyalist.