New Caledonia on fire: deaths during riots in French overseas territory
Published: Wednesday, May 15th 2024, 14:20
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Violent unrest in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia has been causing great concern in Paris for days.
Now at least two people have died in the riots by independence supporters on Wednesday night, according to local media quoting the archipelago's high commissioner, Louis Le Franc. "It is a miracle that there were not more victims last night," said the diplomatic representative, warning of a possible civil war in the archipelago in the South Pacific.
One of the victims was killed by a bullet. However, this did not come from a police officer's weapon, emphasized France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. He spoke of attacks on security forces with axes and live ammunition. Several hundred people were reportedly injured. "There must be no violence in a democracy. There must be absolute calm," the minister warned. High Commissioner Le Franc said that if this call was not heeded, he saw "dark hours ahead for New Caledonia". He would call in the military if necessary.
Tropical paradise in flames
The images that are currently going around the world don't look at all like a South Sea paradise. Since Monday, buildings and cars have been repeatedly set on fire. According to media reports, there is acrid smoke in the air above the capital Nouméa. There is looting and clashes with the police, barricades are erected and curfews are imposed - but many demonstrators ignore them. Long queues are already forming outside stores because many are afraid of supply shortages. Numerous petrol stations are already closed.
What is at stake? The separatists are furious about a planned constitutional reform by the government in Paris that would grant voting rights to thousands of voters of French origin who have lived in New Caledonia for more than ten years without interruption. This would give them more political influence - especially in important provincial elections. Until now, the votes of all residents who had not lived in New Caledonia before 1998 were "frozen".
After the Senate, the National Assembly in Paris also approved the controversial text on Wednesday night. Now the Congrès du Parlement, which is convened for special occasions at the Palace of Versailles, still has to give its approval. However, a date for the vote has not yet been set.
Macron calls crisis meeting
Meanwhile, the curfew that has been in place in the island state since Monday has been extended until Thursday morning. The main airport La Tontouta, schools and public facilities will remain closed until further notice.
President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council. Several MPs called for a state of emergency to be declared. Two New Caledonian MPs described the situation as "dramatic" and addressed Macron directly: "Mr. President, this is a critical moment and only you can save New Caledonia." Many inhabitants had already lost everything and another night of danger lay ahead.
New Caledonia is located around 1500 kilometers east of Australia and is geographically part of Melanesia. The main island of Grande Terre is by far the largest island in the archipelago. From 1853 to 1946, "Nouvelle-Calédonie" was a French colony. For Paris, the territory is primarily important geopolitically, militarily and because of the nickel deposits there.
Indigenous population demands independence
As part of decolonization, it was agreed to hold up to three referendums on independence, which took place in 2018, 2020 and 2021. A majority of the population voted in favor of remaining part of France in all three referendums. However, the independence movement boycotted the last vote and announced that it would not accept the result. The Kanak people in particular - New Caledonia's indigenous inhabitants who call their country "Kanaky" - have long hoped for their own state.
The archipelago, with around 270,000 inhabitants, had already gained extensive autonomy through the 1998 Nouméa Agreement. However, the fronts have hardened since the last vote. Macron has now invited all political representatives to a meeting in Paris under the leadership of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The talks are expected to take place at the end of May.
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