France’s Macron flies to New Caledonia in bid to quell remote Pacific territory’s “unprecedented insurrection”

Nouméa — France’s president held a series of meetings with local representatives in the restive Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Thursday, calling for calm after deadly riots and promising that thousands of military reinforcements will remain in place to quell what he called ” unprecedented insurrection.”

Emmanuel Macron arrived in the capital Noumea Thursday after a 24-hour flight to look for ways to end more than a week of looting, arson and clashes that left six dead and hundreds injured. The unrest has erupted over a French electoral reform plan that indigenous Kanaks say will dilute their voice.

Upon exiting the plane at Tontouta International Airport, the French leader told journalists that his “absolute priority” is “a return to peace, calm and security”.

He was expected to spend about 12 hours on the ground.

What is the reason for the unrest in New Caledonia?

France has ruled New Caledonia since the 1800s, but many indigenous Kanaks still resent Paris’ power over their islands and want greater autonomy or independence.

The deadliest unrest in the archipelago in four decades has been triggered by French plans to grant voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents, something the Kanaks say would dilute their voting influence.

The electoral reform plans “broke the contract of trust” with Paris, said Victor Gogny, president of the New Caledonian Senate – an advisory body that assesses issues affecting the Kanaks.

Since May 13, separatists have erected barricades that have isolated entire neighborhoods and the main route to the international airport, which remains closed. In response, people of French and other origins blocked the streets in their own neighborhoods.

It was a “totally unprecedented movement of insurrection,” Macron said, adding that “no one predicted that this would happen with this level of organization and violence.”

Nightly riots caused fires in dozens of cars, schools, stores and businesses.

French authorities imposed a state of emergency, placed separatist leaders under house arrest, banned the sale of alcohol and sent around 3,000 soldiers, police and other security reinforcements to quell the unrest.

But although Macron’s remark suggested the unrest was unprecedented, Elaine Cobbe of CBS News in Paris says there have been repeated insurrections and protests against French rule for decades – the deadliest likely occurring in 1988, when 21 people were killed during a long hostage operation. taking.

The indigenous Kanaks have long fought against French colonization, which since the 19th century has attracted a large influx of French and other Europeans. Kanaks now represent only 41% of the population, which is why many do not want the new law.

Opponents fear this will effectively increase Paris’ control over the Pacific archipelago.

Several referendums seeking independence have failed, and many Kanaks believe this is due, at least in part, to the fact that the majority of voters are non-Kanak and have stronger ties to the French mainland.

Macron ruled out the possibility of going back on the results of the referendums, saying that peace could not come at the cost of ignoring the will of the people or “in some way denying the path that has already been taken”.

Where is New Caledonia and why is it so important?

The fact that Macron is willing to make such a long trip just weeks before the main European elections may show how big the risks are.

His visit began with a minute’s silence for the dead and hours-long talks with anti-independence elected officials, before visiting a police station to thank security forces.

“By the end of the day” there would be “decisions” and “announcements” about the next steps, Macron promised – adding that he could extend his stay if necessary.

Security forces would also “remain as long as necessary, even during the Olympic and Paralympic Games“, which will be held in Paris in July-August.

Much closer to Australia than Europe, New Caledonia is 16,000 kilometers from the French mainland, but remains part of France and a strategic outpost in an increasingly contested region.

China, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, the Gulf Arab States and France are competing for influence across the South Pacific – seeing it as crucial geopolitical terrain.

New Caledonia is also attractive as one of the world’s largest nickel producers, with up to 30% of global reserves.

Tension in the streets as tourists look for a way out

Macron last visited New Caledonia in July 2023, on a trip that was boycotted by Kanak representatives.

But leaders of all pro-independence parties joined Thursday’s meeting with Macron, his office said, including the main Caledonian Union (UC) movement and the CCAT collective that has organized months of protests.

On the streets, AFP correspondents saw Kanaks still monitoring reinforced blockades on the day of Macron’s visit, raising pro-independence flags and displaying protest banners against electoral reform.

The bill “no longer exists for us, since people died, it is no longer under discussion,” said Lele, a 41-year-old mother, in favor of independence.

But a heavy police presence protected some semblance of normal life in central Noumea, where many shops were reopened to customers and long queues formed in front of bakeries.

Hundreds of tourists from Australia and New Zealand have begun fleeing the turmoil, although hundreds of others remain stranded.

On Thursday there was outrage that Macron’s highly secure visit had suspended further repatriation flights.

Australia’s Foreign Ministry emailed travelers to say there would be no flights on Thursday, a situation New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called “frustrating.”

Efforts to reopen the international airport to commercial flights have been repeatedly delayed. But operators expect connections to resume on Saturday.