Palau senate blocks US deportee deal, calls for referendum
THE Palau Senate has voted to block a controversial agreement that would have allowed up to 75 third-country nationals deported from the United States to be resettled in
Referendum
New Caledonia agreement signed in Paris
AFTER four days of talks in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and five parliamentary groups from New Caledonia have signed the Elysée-Oudinot Accord – an agreement on constitutional and economic change for the
PM Marape to table 2019 Bougainville referendum results
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his commitment to tabling the 2019 post-referendum results in Parliament, allowing for a final decision on Bougainville’s political future. Speaking at the
Tokelau sets sight on a potential third referendum
A special committee is being set up in Tokelau to make sure everyone is well informed ahead of a potential third referendum. “A special committee, to collect all the information, the details on the type of choice that
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
Bougainville anniversary
The fourth anniversary of the historic referendum on Bougainville was on 11 December. Ninety-eight per cent of Bougainvilleans voted for Independence in the non-binding Bougainville Referendum – Post Courier
National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced in Parliament Tuesday that a national referendum is expected to happen within the next six months. This announcement followed the unanimous approval of the
Bougainville referendum vote non-binding, says Minister
Minister for Bougainville Affairs Manasseh Makiba Tuesday reminded parliamentarians that the Bougainville Referendum results are non-binding, and the National Parliament is the only authority that will determine the
New Caledonia independence parties prepare for talks with France
Key members of the New Caledonia’s independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) have debated policy at party congresses, in preparation for looming negotiations with the French
Australia’s PM Albanese takes share of blame for Indigenous referendum failure
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday he accepted his share of blame for the failure of a referendum question on Indigenous recognition that could weaken his authority. More than 60 percent of
Darmanin back in New Caledonia in March to work on a new statute
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin is due back in New Caledonia in early March to advance work on a new statute for the territory. The news agency AFP reports the minister will be in Noumea between 2 and 8 March.
France rules out New Caledonia referendums for five years
The French government says it won’t organise another referendum in New Caledonia during the president’s current five-year term. A year ago, then-overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said he planned to have a
Opinion: Bougainville signals tough line on independence
In the last 100 years we have had to endure hardships from oppressive regimes who sought to take away our resources, our rights and even our lives. Our struggle for independence has been a long one. In 2019, a
Deadline abandoned to re-start New Caledonia dialogue
In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord. During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15
France defers referendum on new statute for New Caledonia
Plans to hold a referendum in New Caledonia next year on a new statute for the territory are being abandoned. The French Junior Overseas Minister, Jean-Francois Carenco, told the television station Caledonia that there
“We want to engage with our neighbours”
New Caledonia at the Pacific Islands Forum “The future of New Caledonia is not in Europe – the future of New Caledonia is in the Pacific region.” That’s President Louis Mapou, the first pro-independence Kanak
Forum mission questions credibility of New Caledonia referendum
Last December, the Pacific Islands Forum sent a ministerial mission to New Caledonia, to monitor the conduct of the third referendum on self-determination under the Noumea Accord. Their report, obtained by Islands
What comes next in New Caledonia?
By Nic Maclellan New Caledonia’s third referendum on self-determination under the Noumea Accord has returned an overwhelming majority against independence: 96.5% of people who went to the polls voted No to
Analysis: Many voters to boycott New Caledonia referendum
Many New Caledonians will go to church this Sunday, or visit family or go fishing, and some of them will also drop into the local town hall to vote in the New Caledonia referendum to decide on its political status. But
“AKIN TO A DECLARATION OF WAR”
France boosts police and military before New Caledonia vote By Nic Maclellan As New Caledonia moves towards a referendum on self-determination on 12 December, France is deploying new police and military forces to the
Pacific leaders join call for delay in New Caledonia referendum
In a significant intervention, former Pacific island presidents, prime ministers and senior officials have written to French President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to delay the next referendum on self-determination in
Chuuk independence referendum delayed again
(Pacnews) A closely watched independence vote in the Pacific state of Chuuk, part of the U.S.-aligned Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), scheduled for next month has been postponed until 2022, the
Long walk to freedom
By Netani Rika THERE was always only going to be one outcome when the people of Bougainville were given their inalienable right to choose the political future of the island chain. Independence. With an overwhelming 97.7