Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have implemented a two-day curfew and banned gatherings following violent unrest in the capital of Noumea and other areas. The French Interior Ministry in Paris has dispatched police reinforcements to the island in response to the escalating situation.
High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, the territory's top French official, reported that 46 security forces were injured during the unrest, with 48 individuals arrested. Fortunately, no serious civilian injuries were reported. Le Franc described the disturbances in Noumea as 'high intensity,' resulting in damage to numerous stores and video surveillance equipment.
Schools were closed, and many businesses and shops, some of which were damaged during the unrest, remained shut. The unrest reportedly began as protests against voting reforms being debated by French lawmakers in Paris, which aim to expand the number of eligible voters in New Caledonia.
New Caledonia, a territory colonized in the 19th century by Napoleon's nephew, is home to approximately 270,000 people and is located east of Australia. The archipelago has a complex history marked by tensions between native Kanaks advocating for independence and descendants of European colonizers who wish to maintain ties with France.
Clashes between police forces and pro-independence protesters, as well as opponents of the constitutional reform, occurred in Mont-Dore, a town near Noumea. Le Franc reported that gendarmes were fired upon with high-caliber weapons and hunting rifles, leading to widespread destruction, including burning cars, businesses, and homes.
Authorities have prohibited gatherings in several municipalities and imposed travel restrictions to maintain public safety. Le Franc has urged the population to remain calm and adhere strictly to the safety measures in place.
New Caledonia's population comprises native Kanaks, who have historically faced discrimination, and descendants of European colonizers. A peace agreement was reached in 1988, followed by the Noumea Agreement in the late 1990s, which granted the territory political autonomy and the opportunity for referendums on independence.
Despite three referendums held between 2018 and 2021, the majority of voters opted to remain part of France rather than pursue independence. New Caledonia, initially established as a French colony in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, has a complex past shaped by its role as a prison colony and subsequent evolution into an overseas territory.
