New Caledonia’s final independence vote today – mired in controversy

By Stefan Armbruster of SBS World News

Kanaky New Caledonia is holding a final referendum on independence from France today. But not everyone wants to see the vote go ahead

The third and final independence referendum in the French Pacific territory has descended into controversy, with Indigenous Kanak leaders and Pacific Island nations calling for a delay or boycott.

France says the vote is legitimate and can go ahead today, despite a year-long mourning period for the dead from covid-19 and restrictions impacting campaigning.

It is the culmination of a 30-year peace process in the territory, which is 17,000km from Paris but only 1500km from Australia.

This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.