The New Caledonia independence referendum: What happens now?
A review of colonial history and the future
Abstract
This article gives an interpretative treatment of the historical record, from France taking possession of New Caledonia in 1853, through to the current Matîgnon process, assessing indications for coming developments. Focused on the debate over independence, it considers: interests of the French state as both arbitrator and participant in events; relations among the indigenous Melanesian Kanaks, European French Caldoches, and smaller ethnic communities; memories of colonial exploitation obstructing progress; the large nickel industry; immigration, and associated minority status of Kanak society—a central problem. It describes the alternation of left and right-wing parties in government in France, with Socialist Party governments commencing moves towards independence, possibly in association with France, and conservative governments moving to countermand those moves. It posits that the parties in New Caledonia have improved their chances of finding a positive outcome through jointly participating in government during 30 years of peace.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Chappell, D.A. (2003). The Kanak awakening of 1969-1976: Radicalising anti-colonialism in New Caledonia. Journal de la Societe des Oceanistes, 117, 202¬¬-3.
Dayant, A. (2018). Words that count: New Caledonia’s referendum question. Sydney: Lowy Institute. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the- interpreter/words-count-new-caledonia-s-referendum-question
Duffield, L. (2018, July 20). Who decides in New Caledonia?, EUAustralia Online. Interviews with Philippe Bernigaud and Andre Qaeze Ihnim. Retrieved January 9, 2019, from http://www.euaustralia.com/2018/07/20/who-decides-in-new-caledonia/
Duffield, L. (2018a). Review: British bomb legacy lingers in the islands. Pacific Journalism Review : Te Koakoa, 24(1), 234-237. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v24i1.408
Duffield, L. (2018b, August 31). New Caledonia: Do the French public want to ‘set it free’? EUAustralia Online. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from http://www.euaustralia.com/2018/08/31/new-caledonia-do-the-french-public-want-to-set-it-free/
Duffield, L. (2018c, July 22). A vote to clear the air on independence? EUAustralia Online. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from http://www.euaustralia.com/2018/07/22/a-vote-to-clear-the-air-on-independence/
Duffield, L. (2018d, November 11). New Caledonia: Referendum signals start of a new campaign. EUAustralia Online. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from http://www.euaustralia.com/2018/11/05/new-caledonia-referendum-signals-start-of-a-new-campaign/
Fisher, D. (2013). France in the South Pacific: Power and politics, Canberra, ACT: Australian National University.
Frédière, P. (2018, July 18). En Caledonie, les statuts successifs ont fait le yoyo. (In New Caledonia, constitutional laws have come up and down like a yoyo). Interview with Luc Steinmetz. Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, Noumea.
Frédière, P., & Poisson, O. (2018). Entente avec Pierre Frogier: Nous devons veiller a ne pas nous faire voler les resultats (We must be careful not to let the election result be stolen from us). Interview with Pierre Frogier. Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, Noumea. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from https://www.lnc.nc/article/nouvelle-caledonie/referendum-2018/politique/nous-devrons-veiller-a-ne-pas-nous-faire-voler-le-resultat
Henningham, S. (1991). France and the South Pacific in the 1980s: An Australian perspective. Journal de la Societe des Oceanistes, 92-93, 21-45.
LeFevre, T.A. (2013), Creating Kanaky: Indigeneity, youth and the cultural politics of the possible. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, New York University. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb48145730/_1.pdf
Les Nouvelles Calédoniènnes (2019, January 8). Annick Girardin « réaffirme solennellement » que l’avenir de la Nouvelle-Calédonie sera défini avec les Calédoniens, (Minister’s solemn undertaking New Caledonians will determine their own future). Retrieved January 24, 2019, from https://www.lnc.nc/breve/annick-girardin-reaffirme-solennellement-que-l-avenir-de-la-nouvelle-caledonie-sera-defini-avec-les-caledoniens
Merle, I. (1995). Experiences colonials: La Nouvelle Caledonie, 1853-1920. Paris, France: Belin.
Maclellan, N. (2017), Grappling with the bomb: Britain’s Pacific h bomb tests. Canberra, ACT: ANU Press
Republique Francaise (2018). Les services de l’etat en Nouvelle Caledonie, referendum … du 4 novembre 2018. [Referendum results]. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/Actualites/Referendum-Retrouvez-ici-les-resultats-definitifs-de-la-consultation-du-4-novembre-2018
Robertson, S. (2018). The New Caledonian referendum on independence (part 2): The vote, In Brief 2018/7, Canberra, ACT: Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from http://dpa.bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2018-03/ib2018_7_robertson.pdf
Robie, D. (2005). Eyes of fire: The last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior. Memorial Edition, Auckland, NZ: Asia Pacific Network.
Robie, D. (1989). Blood on their banner: Nationalist struggles in the South Pacific. London, UK: Zed Books.
Trompiz, G., & Merriman, J. (2016, May 10). Eramet agrees rescue plan for New Caledonia nickel business. Reuters. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from https://www.reuters.com/article/eramet-nickel/eramet-agrees-rescue-plan-for-new-caledonia-nickel-business-idUSL5N18663E
United Nations (2018, June 29). Revision de la liste electorale pour l’election des membres du Congrès et des assemblees de province de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (LESP) et de la liste electorale speciale pour la consultation (LESP), Rapport des experts de l’onu, (United Nations experts report on the New Caledonia electoral lists). Augustin Loada, President du Groupe d’experts. Nouméa: United Nations. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/content/download/5014/38705/file/20180629%20Rapport%20experts%20ONU%20(LESP%20et%20LESC)%20du%2029.06.2018.pdf
Copyright (c) 2019 Lee Duffield
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
