Macron flies to New Caledonia to try to suppress ‘unprecedented insurrection’ in remote Pacific territory

Noumea — The French president held a series of meetings with local officials in the restive Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Thursday, calling for calm after deadly riots and promising that thousands of military reinforcements would remain in place to quell what he has called an “unprecedented insurrection.”

Emmanuel Macron arrived in the capital Nouméa on Thursday after a 24-hour flight to seek ways to end more than a week of looting, arson and clashes that left six people dead and hundreds injured. The unrest erupted over a proposed voting reform in France that indigenous Kanaks say would dilute their voice.

As he exited the plane at Tontouta international airport, the French leader told journalists that his “absolute priority” is “the return to peace, calm and security.”

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

What are the troubles in New Caledonia about?

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

The archipelago’s deadliest unrest in four decades was sparked by France’s plan to grant voting rights to thousands of long-term non-indigenous residents, which the Kanaks say would dilute the influence of their votes.

Voting reform plans have “broken the contract of trust” with Paris, said Victor Gogny, president of the Senate of New Caledonia, an advisory body that intervenes on issues affecting Kanaks.

Since May 13, separatists have erected barricades that have cut off entire neighborhoods and the main road leading to the international airport, which remains closed. In response, French and other people blocked streets in their own neighborhoods.

This is a “totally unprecedented insurrection movement,” Macron said, adding that “no one saw it coming with this level of organization and violence.”

Nightly riots saw dozens of cars, schools, stores and businesses burned.

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

But despite Macron’s remark suggesting the unrest was unprecedented, CBS News’ Elaine Cobbe in Paris says there have been repeated insurrections and protests against French rule for decades – the deadliest being probably being produced in 1988, when 21 people were killed during a prolonged hostage situation. socket.

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

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

Several pro-independence referendums all failed, and many Kanaks believe this is due, at least in part, to the fact that the majority of voters are not Kanak and have stronger ties to the French metropolis.

Macron ruled out revisiting the result of the referendums, saying peace could not be achieved at the cost of ignoring the will of the people or “denying in one way or another the path that has already been taken” .

Where is New Caledonia and why is it so important?

The fact that Macron is prepared to undertake such a long journey just weeks before key European elections may show just how high the stakes are.

His visit began with a minute of silence for the dead and discussions lasting several hours with elected pro-independence officials, before going to a police station to thank the security forces.

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

Security forces “would stay 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 to Europe, New Caledonia is 10,500 miles from the French mainland but remains both a 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 vying for influence in 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 the world’s reserves.

Tension in the streets as tourists search for a way out

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

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

In the streets, AFP correspondents saw Kanaks still holding reinforced roadblocks on the day of Macron’s visit, brandishing independence flags and carrying banners protesting against electoral reform.

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

But a heavy police presence sheltered a semblance of normal life in central Nouméa, where many stores had reopened to customers and long queues formed outside bakeries.

Hundreds of Australian and New Zealand tourists have begun fleeing the unrest, although hundreds more remain stuck.

There was anger on Thursday because Macron’s highly secure visit had suspended other repatriation flights.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs 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 hope that connections will resume on Saturday.