Authorities imposed a curfew in New Caledonia after violent riots against constitutional amendments broke out yesterday in the French overseas possession in the Pacific Ocean.
Protesters set fire to and looted buildings and shops in Noumea, its capital New Caledonia and surrounding settlements on Monday night following a general strike and demonstrations against proposed changes being discussed in Paris that would increase the size of the electorate for upcoming local elections.
Why are the indigenous people of New Caledonia reacting?
Many indigenous people fear the changes will further marginalize members of the Kanak community, who make up about 41% of New Caledonia’s population.
With the unrest continuing, the High Commissioner of New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, announced the deployment of security forces and a curfew, which will remain in force until 06:00 local time on May 15, while condemning the “ acts of violence, which constitute serious attacks on persons and property”.
Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of black smoke rising into the sky as industrial zones in New Caledonia’s capital came under attack while gunfire rang out.
New Caledonia’s airport was closed, as were schools, and 82 people were arrested, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
In Magenta, a district of Noumea, a company was set on fire. pic.twitter.com/C05ejVgjNT
— NC The 1st (@ncla1ere) May 14, 2024
New Caledonia, with a population of nearly 300,000, is one of France’s largest overseas possessions and a springboard for projecting its power in the Pacific.
Voters rejected New Caledonia’s independence in a series of referendums held under the so-called Noumea Agreement of 1998, but separatist groups abstained from the final vote in December 2021, when turnout reached 44%, and rejected the result.
🚨 IN PICTURES – Chaos reigns in Noumea after a night of riots. More photos here 👉 pic.twitter.com/oKuHRHJHdV
— The Voice of the Pebble (@LaVoixduCaillou) May 14, 2024
According to iefimerida, the electoral changes that sparked mass rallies last month amid escalating political tensions are aimed at updating the electoral roll for New Caledonia’s provincial and local assembly elections.
Under the Noumea Agreement, only those living in the territory when the agreement was signed have the right to vote, meaning the 40,000 French citizens who have moved to New Caledonia since 1998 are excluded. Any changes must secure the support of three-fifths of the National Assembly in Paris in order to enter into force, because the Noumea Agreement is part of the French Constitution.
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