French President Emmanuel Macron has described the recent riots in New Caledonia as an unexpected and severe insurrection.
During his visit to police headquarters in the capital, Nouméa, he acknowledged the tough times ahead but promised that France would restore order.
The unrest, which has led to the deaths of six people and injuries to hundreds, started on May 13 due to a controversial electoral reform.
This reform proposes giving voting rights to French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for more than ten years, which has sparked fear among the indigenous Kanaks that their political influence will be weakened.
New Caledonia, a group of islands between Australia and Fiji, has been under French control since the 19th century. Indigenous Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the population, have long had tensions with the central government in Paris.
The current violence is the worst since the 1980s. A state of emergency has been declared, and President Macron has deployed a 3,000-strong force from France to maintain order, even if it means staying during the Paris Summer Olympics.
After arriving in Nouméa, Macron emphasized the need to restore peace quickly and met with local leaders, including separatists, in hopes of renewing discussions about New Caledonia’s future.
Police have arrested 269 people since the riots began, but Macron suggested the state of emergency might end soon. He paid respects to the victims and acknowledged the political challenges ahead.
According to the BBC, under a 1998 agreement, New Caledonia was promised more political autonomy and restricted voting rights to long-term residents. However, with over 40,000 French nationals moving there since then, the recent proposal to extend voting rights has reignited tensions.
The region has held three referendums on independence, with the latest boycotted by pro-independence groups due to the pandemic, resulting in a continued preference to remain part of France.
(Summarized from BBC News)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxxxn68zr06o