Demonstrations
State of emergency in New Caledonia – more riots
There have been riots in the South Sea paradise of New Caledonia for days. photo
© Delphine Mayeur/AFP/dpa
There has been serious unrest in the tropical paradise of New Caledonia for days. Paris declares a state of emergency for its overseas territory and sends in police and soldiers. But the riots continue.
Local media published images of looted and completely destroyed supermarkets and gas stations. Fires were still reported in shops and shopping centers. Independence supporters have been setting fire to shops and cars since the beginning of the week.
What are the protests about?
The protests by independence advocates are over a planned constitutional reform by the government in Paris that would grant the right to vote to thousands of French-born citizens who have lived continuously in New Caledonia for at least ten years. This would give them more political influence. The Kanak population in particular – New Caledonia’s indigenous people – has long been hoping for their own state.
Since the riots began, 206 people have been arrested, Darmanin told France 2. “The calm will be restored.” Additional police officers would be deployed to New Caledonia and some military forces would also be deployed to support them. “There will be no army in the streets of New Caledonia,” he said.
How does Paris react?
In response to the violence in the archipelago in the South Pacific, which lies 1,500 kilometers east of Australia, Paris declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for an initial period of twelve days. There will be another crisis meeting today under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron.
The High Commission in New Caledonia announced that around 5,000 rioters were taking part in the unrest in the greater area of the capital Nouméa. Despite curfews, the situation was not under control. The archipelago’s largest hospital said it is currently primarily treating emergencies. However, due to road blockages, many sick people have problems even reaching the clinic.
Huge economic damage
La Tontoura airport remained closed. Long queues formed in front of many shops because food was being rationed, as the broadcaster 1ère Nouvelle-Calédonie reported. Gas stations ran out of gas. “Life will never be the same from now on. It will take many months to rebuild everything, if that is even possible,” the British Guardian quoted Nouméa resident Lizzie Carboni as saying. “A few days ago we went out, sat in cafes and laughed together, but within a few hours everything changed.”
The president of the southern province, Sonia Backès, a prominent campaigner for remaining with France, asked Paris for financial support. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated the damage to New Caledonia’s economy at 150 million euros.
Meanwhile, the National Council of the Kanaks – Inaat Ne Kanaky – condemned “the unjustified vandalism and violence involving the use of firearms on public streets” and called for the arrest of those responsible. At the same time, the Council regrets that the French government adopted the controversial constitutional reform without taking into account the opposition of the vast majority of the indigenous population.
From 1853 to 1946, New Caledonia was a French colony. The archipelago had already achieved extensive autonomy through the Nouméa Agreement in 1998. For Paris, the territory is particularly important geopolitically, militarily and because of its large nickel deposits. Paris is currently trying to reach a new agreement with the political forces in Nouméa.