The French government formally announced on October 1 that it will abandon plans for a constitutional amendment on voting rights in Kanaky (New Caledonia), reports Susan Price.
Kanaky/New Caledonia
Chloe DS, Jacob Andrewartha and Rob Zocchi from 3CR’s 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Radio show spoke with journalist Nic Maclellan on May 24 about the crisis in Kanaky, geopolitical factors in the Indo Pacific and the centrality of Kanak self-determination.
David Robie joins the 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Show to discuss the current revolt in Kanaky/New Caledonia.
As the New Zealand and Australian media fussed over tourists stranded in Kanaky New Caledonia, Kanaks have been gripped in an existential struggle with a heavyweight European power determined to keep the archipelago firmly under the control of Paris, writes Eugene Doyle.
Respected journalist, author and solidarity activist David Robie writes that while Paris reacts with a heavy-handed security crackdown against the revolt in Kanaky (New Caledonia), it cannot stifle the desire for independence.
Rioting broke out in New Caledonia’s capital Noumea this week, following weeks of peaceful protest against a constitutional vote taken in Paris which will undo provisions in the 1998 Noumea Accord. Nicole George looks at how the situation has spiralled.
Pro-Kanak independence leader Louis Kotra Uregei will be remembered as someone who all his life fought for the well-being of the Kanak people, writes John Garcia.
A self-determination referendum in Kanaky (New Caledonia) will proceed on December 12, despite independence forces calling for a delay due to COVID-19, reports Susan Price.
The struggle for self determination in New Caledonia (Kanaky) was boosted last November, when more than 43% of the population voted to support independence from France in a referendum. A second independence referendum will be held next year.
The FLNKS (The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), a pro-independence alliance of political parties met in March to plan for the general elections in May and to prepare for the 2020 referendum. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly’s Susan Price spoke with FLNKS representative in Australia, Charles Wea about the congress and the referendum campaign.
Marchers in Honiara in support of West Papua’s bid to join the MSG, June 19.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) granted the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) observer membership during a summit meeting in Honiara on June 26. It also upgraded Indonesia’s membership from observer to associate.
The result for Jose Bove in the April 22 first round of France’s presidential election in the “overseas territory” (the polite term for colony) of New Caledonia, known as Kanaky to its indigenous inhabitants, was interesting. Bove came in fourth with 5.88%. But in the predominantly Kanak provinces of the North and the Loyalty Islands, his scores were respectively 10.89% and 14.55%. The main reason was the active support given to Bove, who has frequently visited the territory, by the Union of Kanak and Exploited Workers (USTKE).