The French prime minister Edouard Philippe has visited the grave of New Caledonia's pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou during a tour of the northern province.
Edouard Philippe visited the grave of New Caledonia's pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou . Photo: Twitter/ Edouard Philippe
In 1988, Mr Tjibaou signed the Matignon Accords with the anti-independence leader Jacques Lafleur, ending years of unrest and ushering in a peaceful decolonisation process.
On his arrival in Noumea at the weekend, Mr Philippe also visited Mr Lafleur's grave.
One of Mr Tjibaou's sons Pascal Tjibaou asked Mr Philippe to become the prime minister who helps France turn the page and open a new one between two independent countries.
He also gave him a Kanak flag and pointed out that this was what is being aspired to.