1 Mar 2018

Two New Caledonian leaders quit

11:01 am on 1 March 2018

Two members of a small high profile New Caledonian leaders group have resigned.

Sonia Backes

Sonia Backes Photo: Facebook

The group, dubbed G10, was set up at the behest of the French prime minister Edouard Philippe to discuss the aftermath of the independence referendum due later this year.

Made up of ten leaders of rival political parties, their task was to hold discussions in confidence under the leadership of the French High Commissioner.

However, two members have now resigned in protest at postings on Facebook by the leader of the Caledonia Together Party Philippe Gomes.

He released texts which had not been approved and said the referendum is planned for 4 November.

The two to quit are Sonia Backes of the Caledonian Republicans and Thierry Santa who is the president of the Congress and a senior member of the anti-independence Rassemblement.

Thierry Santa.

Thierry Santa. Photo: New Caledonia Congress

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