Nouméa Accord

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The Nouméa Accord of 1998 is a promise by the French Republic to grant increased political power to New Caledonia and its original population, the Kanaks, over a twenty-year transition period. It was signed 5 May 1998 by Lionel Jospin, and approved in a referendum in New Caledonia on 8 November, with 72% voting in favour. Under the accord, two more referendum votes, on whether to remain a special collectivity of France or become an independent state, have been held. One was held in 2018, and the second was held in 2020. In both votes a majority chose to remain French. The Nouméa Accord permitted a final referendum to be held, voted for by the Congress of New Caledonia. It was held December 2021 and widely rejected independence amid boycott by the independence movement.[1][2]

Under the Nouméa Accord, France has continued to control military and foreign policy, immigration, police and currency. France will continue to do so, the vote having rejected becoming an independent state in 2021.

Named after New Caledonia's capital and largest city, the Nouméa Accord was the second accord following the Matignon Agreements (1988).

Under the conditions of the Accord, the Vice President of New Caledonia must be a pro-independence politician if the Presidency is held by an anti-independence politician.[3][4]

Signatories

The following people signed the Nouméa Accord on 5 May 1998:

Popular consultation

Popular consultation for approval of the accords was organised in

New Caledonia
on Sunday, 8 November 1998.

Campaign

The local political class was divided on the question of the Nouméa agreement.

The following political figures and parties call for a "yes" vote, for reasons that are often diametrically opposed between supporters and opponents of independence:

The "no" side featured:

Results

Results of referendum

  Yes (71.86%)
  No (28.14%)

Approuvez-vous l'Accord sur la

le 5 Mai 1998?


"Do you approve of the New Caledonia Agreement signed in Noumea on 5 May 1998?"

— The referendum question
Options Number % of registered % of voters % of cast ballots
Yes 55,400 51.92 69.95 71.86
No 21,697 20.33 27.39 28.14
Votes cast 77,097 72.26 97.34 100.00
Blank or spoiled votes 2,105 1.97 2.66
Total number of voters 79,202 74.23 100.00
Abstentions 27,496 25.77
Registered 106,698 100.00

Source : Décision du 9 novembre 1998 proclamant les résultats de la consultation des populations de la Nouvelle-Calédonie du dimanche 8 novembre 1998

See also

Further reading

  • Carine David, Victor David. 2020. "New Caledonia." in Gems of the Pacific.


References

  1. ^ Paris meeting to prepare New Caledonia independence vote
  2. ^ "New Caledonia rejects independence in final vote amid boycott". Reuters. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  3. Radio New Zealand International
    . 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  4. Radio New Zealand International
    . 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.

External links