France’s plans to change voting rules in its overseas territory of New Caledonia are opposed by pro-independence groups, pushing the archipelago to the brink of anarchy.
Hundreds of military and armed police reinforcements were deployed Friday to the riot-scarred streets of France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, seeking to quell clashes that have left five people dead and hundreds injured.
Anger over France’s plan to impose new voting rules has spiraled into the deadliest violence in four decades in the archipelago of 270,000 people, which lies between Australia and Fiji—17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles) from Paris.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said about 1,000 extra security forces were being sent to New Caledonia—adding to the 1,700 already present—while authorities would push for “the harshest penalties for rioters and looters.”
Extra forces began landing Thursday at the French army-controlled La Tontouta International Airport and could be seen moving through the capital Noumea in red berets, toting rifles, gas masks and riot shields.
Using state of emergency powers, security forces had imposed “a calmer and more peaceful situation” around Noumea for the first time since the unrest started on Monday, according to the high commission representing the French state.
But there were fires at a school and two companies, it said in a statement Friday.
Smoldering Buildings
On Friday morning, AFP journalists saw flames and smoke pouring from a shopping center, smoldering buildings, dozens of burned-out cars and residents dragging the remnants of vehicles off the roads.
Hundreds of people lined up outside shops for desperately needed food and supplies.
The security reinforcements will impose order “where control is no longer assured,” High Commissioner of the Republic in New Caledonia Louis Le Franc told journalists in Noumea.
He described areas of the island “where there are several hundred rioters waiting for just one thing: contact with the security forces.”
Ten independence activists accused of organizing violence have been placed under house arrest, according to authorities.
Two gendarmes have been killed: one shot in the head and a second shot in friendly fire, officials said.
Three other people—all Indigenous Kanaks—have also been killed: a 17-year-old and two men aged 20 and 36.
Burning Tires
One person has been arrested on suspicion of killing two Kanaks, French authorities said. Another homicide suspect turned himself in on Friday, they added.
About 200 among an estimated 5,000 “rioters” have been detained, officials confirmed.
Groups of Kanaks have set up roadblocks around the main island, waving the territory’s flag, burning tires and blocking or slowing traffic.
Other mostly non-Indigenous residents, some armed, piled up garden chairs, crates and other belongings in neighborhood barricades.
TikTok has been banned in New Caledonia under the state of emergency because it was being used by the protesters, authorities said.
The authorities have imposed a night-time curfew and banned gatherings, carrying weapons and the sale of alcohol.
Schools remain shut.
Noumea’s airport is closed to commercial aircraft.
Between 80 and 90% of the grocery distribution network in Noumea—from shops to warehouses and wholesalers—has been “wiped out,” Chamber of Commerce and Industry President David Guyenne said.
The chamber has said about 200 million euros of damage has been carried out.
Voting Rules
While New Caledonia has on three occasions rejected independence in referendums, the cause retains strong support among the Kanak people, whose ancestors have lived on the islands for thousands of years.
French lawmakers this week pushed forward plans to allow people who moved to New Caledonia at least 10 years ago to vote in the territory’s elections.
Pro-independence forces say that would dilute the vote of Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the population.
Voting reform must still be approved by a joint sitting of both houses of the French Parliament.
President Emmanuel Macron has said French lawmakers will vote to adopt the constitutional change by the end of June unless New Caledonia’s opposing sides can strike a new deal.
But a videoconference between Macron and New Caledonian lawmakers planned for Thursday was canceled as “the different players did not want to speak to one another,” his office said.
Mathurin Derel, with AFP
