Less than two months before the referendum on the independence of New Caledonia, the arson on Saturday evening of the hut (traditional house) of the customary Senate aroused great emotion. Fears that the ballot would not take place peacefully were heightened by the fire that ravaged this traditional house, where the representatives of the Kanak chiefdoms sit.
A place reserved for ceremonies
The "voluntary" fire took place "around 10 pm" and the hut was "completely destroyed", said the High Commission of the Republic. Located in the Nouville district of Nouméa, the consultative institution houses sixteen Kanak senators, representing the eight customary areas of New Caledonia. Next to the solid buildings, the customary Senate had a large traditional house, reserved for ceremonies and for welcoming visiting personalities.
High Commissioner Laurent Prévost expressed "his deep emotion at the destruction of this emblematic place" and "strongly condemned this act which undermines the customary institution and beyond to an institution of New Caledonia" . The police services were seized and a judicial investigation is underway, he also indicated.
Politics
The separatists retain the presidency of the Congress in New Caledonia
Elections
Postponement of the referendum on the independence of New Caledonia to October 4
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