French Polynesia's former President, Oscar Temaru, has gone on hunger strike to protest against his ousting.
Mr Temaru, who favours independence from France, was replaced by the conservative leader who served before him, in a parliamentary vote on Friday. The new leader, Gaston Flosse, is a close ally of French President Jacques Chirac. Mr Temaru has accused France of political manoeuvring, but Paris has denied any involvement. Mr Temaru said he and two dozen of his supporters would continue with their hunger strike until "justice is returned to the people". "In our country today, there are two presidents - one elected by the people and a self-proclaimed president," he told a news conference. Mr Temaru, who has served less than four months of his term, was the first pro-independence leader to be elected in French Polynesia. He had replaced Mr Flosse, who had been in office for years. Parliament first approved a censure vote on 9 October, and that paved the way for a vote in which Mr Temaru was removed. Mr Temaru said he would call for new elections "to let the people decide". His ouster sparked huge protests on the streets of the capital, Papeete. | Free Oscar! Free Polynesia! |