Unrest in New Caledonia: Violence Escalates Over Distant Vote
Tensions escalate in the French territory of New Caledonia as violent clashes continue for the third consecutive day. Protesters, militias, and police engage in armed confrontations, leading to arson attacks on buildings and vehicles in the capital of this South Pacific archipelago.
Violent clashes continued for a third day on the French island of New Caledonia, with protesters, militias, and police engaging in armed confrontations. The capital of the South Pacific archipelago saw buildings and cars being set on fire.
The unrest has resulted in at least three fatalities, marking it as the worst violence seen since the 1980s. Authorities have responded by implementing a curfew in Noumea, the capital, and prohibiting public gatherings, weapon possession, and alcohol sales. Additionally, the main airport, typically a bustling tourist hub, has been closed to commercial traffic.
The recent violence is a result of long-standing political tensions on the island. These tensions have been brewing for years and have created a divide between the pro-independence indigenous Kanak communities and the French inhabitants who are against breaking ties with France.
In response to the unrest, France has deployed additional military forces to New Caledonia. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that "four additional squadrons have been flown in to restore order" on the island.
New Caledonia is located in the South Pacific and shares borders with Australia, Fiji, and Vanuatu. It is considered a semiautonomous French territory, along with several others spread across the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean.
Protests erupted on Monday, led mainly by young individuals, in reaction to a vote being discussed 10,000 miles (17,000 kilometers) away in the French parliament. The proposed changes to New Caledonia's constitution aim to provide more voting rights to French residents residing on the islands.
Legislators voted in favor of the change on Tuesday. The proposed move aims to increase the number of voters in New Caledonia by adding thousands of new names to the electoral rolls, which have not been updated since the late 1990s. Some pro-independence groups believe that these changes are France's way of strengthening its control over the archipelago.
French President Emmanuel Macron is urging calm in New Caledonia. He has sent a letter to political leaders there, asking them to condemn the violence. Macron has invited both pro- and anti-independence leaders to meet him in Paris for a face-to-face discussion.
To address the situation, Macron will lead a defense and national security council meeting on Wednesday. The focus of the meeting will be on the recent violence in New Caledonia, as announced by the presidential palace.
Macron’s government has been emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting France’s role as a Pacific power. This comes as China and the United States increase their presence in the area, competing for influence in this crucial region. New Caledonia is a key focus of this strategy.
The violence in the region is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed.
Three indigenous Kanaks - two men and a woman - were killed in the recent violent protests and looting, as confirmed by Charles Wea, spokesperson for Louis Mapou, President of the Government of New Caledonia.
In addition to the tragic deaths, demonstrators have been setting buildings and cars on fire in Noumea, disregarding the extended curfew until Thursday.
The capital was engulfed in thick plumes of black smoke on Wednesday morning, as seen in social media videos. The images captured burned-out cars, fires in the street, and shops that had been vandalized and looted.
According to the French High Commissioner to New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, some individuals were armed with hunting rifles loaded with buckshot, while others had larger rifles that fired bullets.
More than 140 individuals have been arrested in the recent clashes between local nationalist groups and French authorities, with at least 60 security personnel sustaining injuries, as reported by Le Franc.
One resident of Noumea shared with CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand about the panic buying situation similar to that during the Covid-19 pandemic. The resident mentioned witnessing a lot of fire and violence but decided to stay safe at home. They noted the presence of a significant number of police and army personnel and expressed a desire for the government to take action for peace, requesting to remain anonymous.
Smoke rises in the distance in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024.
Smoke rises in the distance in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024.
Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty Images
French gendarme officers guard the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024.
French gendarme officers guard the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024.
Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty Images
Colonial France gained control of New Caledonia in 1853. This led to an influx of white settlers, and unfortunately, the indigenous Kanak people faced harsh segregation policies. Even today, many Kanak people still struggle with poverty and high unemployment rates.
Deadly violence erupted in the 1980s, leading to the signing of the Noumea Accord in 1998. This agreement promised to grant the Kanak community greater political autonomy.
In recent years, multiple referendums have been held - in 2018, 2020, and 2021 - giving voters in New Caledonia the opportunity to decide whether to break away from France. Despite each referendum being rejected, the process was affected by boycotts from pro-independence factions and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voter roles have been frozen since the Noumea Accord. This was the issue that France’s parliament wanted to tackle in the recent vote that led to violence this week.
In Paris, French lawmakers voted 351-153 in favor of amending the constitution to “unfreeze” the electoral rolls of the territory. This change would allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to be able to vote.
The French government froze the lists to satisfy Kanak nationalists who support independence and are concerned that new arrivals, including from France, weaken the push for independence.
The constitutional change passed by the National Assembly must be approved by both houses of France's parliament.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Tuesday that the government will not hold a parliamentary meeting to vote on the motion until discussions with Kanak leaders, such as the major independence alliance, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), take place.
Attal urged political leaders in New Caledonia to take advantage of this opportunity and participate in talks in Paris in the upcoming weeks. He emphasized the importance of reconciliation and dialogue in order to reach a common political solution, addressing the National Assembly.
FLNKS released a statement on Wednesday denouncing the vote at the National Assembly and urging an end to the violence.
In their statement, FLNKS called on the youth participating in the demonstrations to remain calm and prioritize the safety of the community and property.
