A new political party has been formed in New Caledonia promoting the interests of the people from Wallis and Futuna.
Photo: AFP
The party Pacific Awakening plans to contest the provincial elections in May, hoping to secure two seats.
Its president Milakulo Tukumuli has told the local newspaper that almost 90 percent of Wallisians want to remain French.
According to him, the party wants to overcome the split into pro and anti-independence camps and work towards a more equitable society.
Pacific Awakening also wants to represent other ethnic minorities which feel excluded from the institutions.
Migration to New Caledonia has led to more Wallisians now living in the Noumea area than in their native islands.