France Declares State of Emergency in New Caledonia Amid Deadly Riots
France’s government has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia as violent protests erupted in the semiautonomous French Pacific territory. The unrest was sparked by a proposed amendment to the French Constitution that would change local voting rules in the territory.
The French authorities have mobilized a massive deployment of security forces to quell the riots, which have resulted in four deaths, including a law enforcement officer. More than 1,800 security officers are already in the territory, with an additional 500 reinforcements expected to arrive in the next 24 hours.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed strong emotion over the deaths and pledged a relentless response to restore order. The state of emergency, lasting 12 days, grants the authorities enhanced policing powers to maintain peace and security.
New Caledonia, a territory with a complex history of colonization and indigenous rights, has seen decades of tensions over the prospect of independence and social inequality. The proposed constitutional change, expanding voting rights for French citizens in provincial elections, has reignited these tensions and led to violent protests.
The French government has postponed a planned trip by President Macron to address the crisis in New Caledonia. The territory’s voter rolls have been a point of contention, with the proposed amendment potentially adding thousands of new voters.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the French government has promised not to enact the constitutional change until the end of June and has invited pro- and anti-independence groups for talks. The main pro-independence group, FLNKS, has condemned the amendment but also called for calm.
The situation in New Caledonia remains tense, with a curfew in place, a ban on public gatherings, and schools closed until further notice. The international airport in Noumea has been shut down, and commercial flights canceled as authorities work to restore peace in the territory.
