The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has thrown its full support behind the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia as they prepare to vote in an Independence Referendum on Sunday, 4th October 2020 to determine the
political status of New Caledonia.

The referendum on independence from France as the Administering Power, will be the second in a series of three possible referendums agreed to in the Noumea Accord.

The Noumea Accord was an agreement entered into by the French Government and the FLNKS representing the Kanaky people of New Caledonia on 5 May 1998.

This signed agreement not only provided for some transfer of shared sovereignty establishments and new citizenship for New Caledonia, but it also agreed to a 15 – 20 year transition before a referendum of self-determination for New Caledonia is decided on.

The first referendum for Self Determination took place in November 2018.

While the majority of countries in the Pacific have gained independence, New Caledonia is still under the

France administration. The collective visions by the founding Leaders of the newly Independent

Melanesian States, which led to the establishment of the Melanesian Spearhead Group was partly a response on the need to liberate Melanesians from Colonialism.

In the inaugural MSG Leaders meeting held in Goroka, Papua New Guinea (PNG) on 17 July 1986, Heads of Government of MSG Countries and Representatives of FLNKS agreed that it was important to have common positions and solidarity on regional issues that are of common interest, particularly the FLNKS cause for political independence in New Caledonia.

Since its inception, the MSG has provided an avenue for supporting and advocating the right to Self- Determination of the people of Kanaky, as recognised under the United Nations (UN) Charter.

In a podcast message delivered from the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila, the Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Mr. George Hoa’au, reminded the Kanaky people as they prepare to vote, that the MSG stands in solidarity with them as they choose their own political future.

The delivery of the ADG’s message was in line with commitments made by MSG Leaders under the “2018 Action Plan for the provision of assistance to FLNKS” and the “2013 Noumea Declaration on the Renewal of MSG Commitment towards FLNKS independence struggle”.

The Noumea Declaration on FLNKS of June 2013, recognises the original vision of the MSG to advocate for the entire decolonisation and freedom of Melanesian countries still under colonial rule.

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