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December 13, 2021

New Caledonia Votes to Remain French Territory in Referendum Boycotted by Independence Groups
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Voters in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia have
overwhelmingly rejected independence from France. But Sunday's
referendum, the third such vote over the past three years, was boycotted
by pro-independence groups, who pushed to postpone the referendum, and
it's unclear whether they will accept the results. Turnout was just over
40%. New Caledonia's current president, Louis Mapou, is pro-independence
and said the territory would continue to pursue the "path of
emancipation." The island territory was colonized by France in 1853.


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