France has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia after violent protests against electoral reforms led to the deaths of one police officer and three others, as reported by the Washington Post. New Caledonia, a French overseas territory located off Australia’s eastern coast, has long been a hotspot for tensions regarding France’s influence.
The recent violence, the worst in decades, underscores ongoing disputes over France’s role in the archipelago. Government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot called for calm and the resumption of political dialogue to address the unrest during a ministerial meeting, where she also paid tribute to those who lost their lives.
The state of emergency took effect at 8 pm Paris time (5 am in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia). Under French law, such a declaration is made in situations of imminent danger due to serious breaches of public order, granting local authorities expanded powers, including restricting public access and conducting searches to prevent threats to public safety.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office condemned the violence, promising a relentless response to restore order. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal described the violence as rare in intensity, stating that the state of emergency would enable the government to deploy substantial resources to re-establish order.
The unrest began on Monday as French lawmakers prepared to vote on expanding voting rights in New Caledonia, a move critics argue could marginalize the Indigenous Kanak population and favor pro-French politicians. Although the National Assembly adopted the revision, it still requires final approval from both parliamentary chambers.
The Kanak people, who make up about 40% of New Caledonia’s 300,000 population, have long sought independence, while descendants of European colonizers wish to remain part of France. The 1998 Noumea Accord restricted voting to Kanaks and individuals born before 1998, but the new measure allows anyone residing in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote, potentially diluting Kanak political power.
French Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories Gerald Darmanin reported significant injuries, including about 100 police officers, and extensive damage from attacks on barracks and property. Over 130 arrests were made amid incidents of arson, looting, and an attempted prison break.
In response, France has deployed additional police officers and gendarmes, imposed an overnight curfew, and banned gatherings in Noumea. La Tontouta International Airport is also closed to commercial flights.
New Caledonia, annexed by France in 1853, has seen ongoing tensions between the Kanaks and European descendants over independence. Despite provisions for three referendums in the Noumea Accord, all rejected independence, with the last vote in 2021 boycotted by pro-independence parties due to the pandemic.
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