President Emmanuel Macron of France is set to make a surprise trip to New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, in the midst of deadly unrest that has gripped the region for over a week. The visit comes as six people have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured in violent demonstrations by the Indigenous Kanak people.
The French authorities have deployed hundreds of police officers, enforced a curfew, and even banned TikTok in an attempt to restore calm in the territory, but have struggled to do so. President Macron’s visit, scheduled for Thursday, aims to hold talks with pro-independence leaders in an effort to defuse tensions.
However, some local leaders have expressed skepticism about Macron’s ability to ease the situation. Jimmy Naouna, a spokesman for FLNKS, an alliance of pro-independence parties, criticized Macron, saying, “Here comes the fireman after he set the fire!”
The unrest in New Caledonia stems from a disagreement over an amendment to the French Constitution that would impact a referendum on self-determination in the territory. Many in the Kanak community feel that France has reneged on an agreement that could have led to independence for New Caledonia.
President Macron’s visit will be the first by a senior French leader since the violence erupted, and he is expected to try to “renew the thread of dialogue,” according to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
The situation in New Caledonia has escalated to the point where military planes from Australia and New Zealand have been evacuating foreign tourists from the region. Residents like Pierre, who feel trapped by the ongoing violence, are desperate for a resolution.
The violence in New Caledonia is some of the worst since the 1980s, when a Kanak uprising led to a civil war. The territory, known for its nickel mining industry, holds strategic value for France as global powers like the United States and China vie for influence in the Pacific.
Leaders in New Caledonia are calling for another vote on independence, but the proposed constitutional amendment in France has further fueled tensions. The outcome of Macron’s visit remains uncertain, but the stakes are high as the region grapples with ongoing turmoil.
