Even New Caledonia’s independence leaders have been unable to stop this latest spontaneous eruption of popular rage. France will have to compromise if there is to be a lasting solution.
Pro-independence parties had sought a delay for the third and final referendum due to the impact of the pandemic on the Indigenous Kanak population. It was denied.
A similar 2018 referendum failed, but was much closer than anticipated. Some believe independence might pass this time around, particularly with the issue not high on France’s list of priorities.