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“Everyone at the table”: Macron wants to resolve crisis in New Caledonia

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“All at one table”
Macron wants to resolve crisis in New Caledonia

Macron promised that decisions would be made and announcements made during his visit. photo

© Ludovic Marin/AFP Pool via AP/dpa

For around ten days, France’s overseas territory of New Caledonia has been shaken by serious unrest. Now President Macron himself has arrived to mediate.

French President During his visit to New Caledonia, Emmanuel Macron has begun talks with the various political forces in order to mediate in the French overseas territory, which has been shaken by serious unrest. “I stand with the people for a return to peace, calm and security,” said Macron after landing at the airport of the island group, which is located 1,500 kilometers east of Australia.

Decisions would be made and announcements made during his visit, Macron promised before meetings with local politicians and business representatives. It will also address the supply bottlenecks as a result of the riots and economic reconstruction. Last week, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated the damage to New Caledonia’s economy at at least 150 million euros.

The president was accompanied by several cabinet members, including Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. “We must bring all parties together,” Macron stressed in the capital Nouméa. He is counting on everyone’s sense of responsibility.

Anger over planned constitutional reform

New Caledonia is of particular importance to France in military and geopolitical terms, as well as because of its large nickel deposits. The unrest that broke out over a week ago, leaving several people dead and many injured, was triggered by a constitutional reform planned by the government in Paris. This is intended to give thousands of French-born citizens the right to vote and thus more political influence. Supporters of the island group’s independence are fighting against this.

Numerous shops were destroyed and looted during the riots, and Nouméa airport remains closed to all commercial flights. France temporarily declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia and deployed additional police and military forces to the archipelago. They would stay in New Caledonia as long as necessary, said Macron. The situation has now calmed down somewhat. However, the broadcaster 1ère Nouvelle-Calédonie quoted a local politician as saying that the situation could get worse again at any time. “There is indescribable chaos,” he said.