French authorities in New Caledonia have regained full control of the capital of their Pacific territory, the French interior and foreign minister said on Friday, after two weeks of unrest that left seven people dead and significant destruction in the archipelago that has seen decades of tensions between those seeking independence. and those loyal to France.
Gerald Darmanin said in a post on
Darmanin said 400 members of the French and New Caledonian security forces were involved in the operation, including members of France’s elite anti-terrorism and anti-organized crime police unit and their counterparts in the French armed forces. Twelve people were arrested in the operation and 26 barriers were dismantled and freed, the minister said.
Violence erupted on May 13 in response to attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron’s government to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists in New Caledonia. France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory on May 15 and rushed hundreds of troop reinforcements to help police quell the uprising that included shootings, clashes, looting and arson.
Both sides of New Caledonia’s bitter divide – the indigenous Kanaks who want independence and those loyal to France – have erected barricades, either to revolt against the authorities or to protect their homes and properties. Pro-independence protesters built barricades of charred vehicles and other debris, turning parts of the capital, Noumea, into no-go zones.
French President Emmanuel Macron decided on Monday to lift the state of emergency in New Caledonia to help facilitate dialogue between local parties and French authorities for the future of the archipelago’s 270,000 residents and restore peace.
Pro-independence parties and Kanak leaders have urged Macron to withdraw the electoral reform law if France wants to “end the crisis”. Opponents fear the electoral legislation will benefit pro-French politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize indigenous Kanaks who have long pushed to free themselves from French rule amid sharp economic disparities and decades of discrimination.
Although violence has subsided in recent days, tensions remain as pro-independence leaders have called on supporters to “remain mobilized” and “maintain resistance” against France.
Although emergency measures have been lifted, there is still a night and night curfew in place. Travel is prohibited in New Caledonia between 6pm and 6am, except in health emergencies, and bans on public gatherings, carrying and carrying weapons, and alcohol sales remain in place.
The main international airport, La Tontouta, will remain closed to commercial traffic at least until Monday, and schools will not resume before mid-June, according to local authorities.
New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleon’s nephew and heir. It became an overseas territory after World War II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957.
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