 He aligned himself with  the Caledonian Union political party. In 1977, under the leadership of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, he chose to recognize the Congress of Bourail as independent from Caledonia.
<clarity>  He aligned himself with  the Caledonian Union political party. In 1977, under the leadership of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, he chose to recognize the Congress of Bourail as independent from Caledonia.
 He aligned himself with the Caledonian Union in 1977, under the leadership of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, he chose to recognize the Congress of Bourail as independent from Caledonia.