Kanak

Vanuatu backs Kanak call to delay vote on independence in New Caledonia

Prime Minister Bob Loughman told parliament he will raise his concerns with the French ambassador, Pierre Fournier, in Port Vila.

The Kanaks have asked Paris to delay the referendum because they are still mourning family members who died during the pandemic.

272 people have died in New Caledonia from Covid and about half of those victims were Kanaks.

The respect required within traditional ceremonies of mourning within Melanesian culture means activities such as political awareness and campaigning cannot take place.