Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland France jail

Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in mainland France jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal ruled in Nouméa on Friday. This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October from the Court

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Kanak activist Christian Tein’s imprisonment overturned by France’s highest court

The highest court in France has overturned a decision to lock up the Kanak pro-independence activist Christian

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‘Not in my lifetime’: Niue PM on independence

The question remains as to whether Niue will eventually become fully independent. “I don’t think in my lifetime,” said Tagelagi. “But I’m optimistic like everyone else that it will lead to

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Paris shifts gears on New Caledonia, after months of conflict

After nearly five months of conflict in New Caledonia, the French government has formally announced it will abandon a constitutional amendment on voting rights for New

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French Polynesia hits Paris approach to New Caledonia

French Polynesia says France failed to heed warnings of unrest in New Caledonia and Paris needs to soften its diplomacy in the crisis-hit Pacific territory. The future of New Caledonia is a hot topic at the Pacific

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Papua independence protestors seek papal intervention after clashes with Indonesian forces

Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a UN agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region.   At least one

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French President Macron yet to sign off on Pacific leaders request to visit New Caledonia

The French Ambassador to the Pacific says President Emmanuel Macron is yet to sign a letter from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) requesting authorisation for a high-level Pacific mission to New Caledonia. Véronique

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FLNKS congress postponed, as independence movement debates the way forward

In a fast moving and complex situation, both supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia are preparing for the outcome of French elections later this month. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan

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Fiji, PNG call for UN decolonisation mission to riot-struck New Caledonia

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have urged the UN’s decolonisation committee to expedite a visit to the French-controlled Pacific territory of New Caledonia following its pro-independence riots last month. Nine people have

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New Caledonia reels as President Macron dissolves French parliament

Despite weeks of rioting and clashes between police and protestors in New Caledonia, French authorities in Noumea decided to proceed with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, a poll open to all French

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A message to Macron: “You can’t negotiate with a gun to your head”

Political, church and community leaders from New Caledonia have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to fully withdraw a controversial constitutional amendment on voting rights – the trigger for recent riots and

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Bougainville may use other means to gain independence 

The Autonomous Bougainville Government(ABG) is warning it might use other avenues to gain its independence should the PNG government continue to be mischievous in dealing with the Bougainville Independence agenda.  The

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West Papuans still inspired by the heritage of Arnold Ap

In 1969, Indonesia annexed the western half of the island of New Guinea, through the so-called Act of Free Choice. As Indonesian authorities began to expand legal systems and education in Bahasa Indonesia, a generation

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Opinion: Kikibakiki – Reflections on PNG at 48

We sat down in the forever blackout Port Moresby city, I hear the neighbours playing the famous Saugas song, Sindaun Bagarap, echoing the windy night, and buai buyers complaining about the hike in the prices,

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What is your fear on independence for Bougainville: President Toroama

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has called on Prime Minister James Marape to spell out clearly and honestly his fears about Bougainville obtaining Independence from Papua New Guinea. Toroama made the call based

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Macron plans a new political statute for New Caledonia

In a major speech in Noumea, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024, to reform voting rights and create a new statute for New Caledonia

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Bougainville results to be tabled in PNG parliament this year

Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba says the referendum results will be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year. “In accordance with section 342 of the Constitution, the minister responsible for

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New Caledonia’s FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote

A New Caledonian pro-independence leader says the advice of the International Court of Justice is being sought over the contested 2021 referendum on independence from France. Roch Wamytan, who is the president of New

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Pro-independence forces win elections on French Polynesia

Pro-independence forces won elections on France’s Pacific territory of French Polynesia, giving them control of affairs on the archipelagos for the next five years and opening the way to a possible referendum on

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What’s next for New Caledonia?

25 years after the Noumea Accord Twenty-five years ago, the French government joined supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia to adopt the Noumea Accord – a political agreement that mapped out a

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Embarking on writing a new Bougainville Constitution

The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission has conducted a consultation with Bougainvilleans in Lae on matters regarding the country’s constitution. The commission was represented by vice president of the

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Consultations on constitution begin outside Bougainville

The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC) has begun consultations with Bougainvilleans outside Bougainville. The consultation is to gauge views and contribution of Bougainvilleans to draft an

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Overcoming suspicion: reconciliation for Australia and Bougainville

The angry reaction to Richard Marles’ comments should be a warning to Canberra about the need to settle past grievances.  During a visit to Papua New Guinea earlier this month by Australia’s Deputy Prime

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Bougainville open for business: President Toroama

Bougainville is open for business. This was the undertaking given to potential investors by the Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama when opening the 2022 Bougainville Trade and Investment

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