Looted shops, columns of smoke over the capital Nouméa, barricades and now also deaths: for days, thousands of New Caledonian residents have been violently protesting against a planned electoral law reform. At least five people have died in the unrest so far, including two police officers. Hundreds more people were injured.
State of emergency in New Caledonia
The central government in Paris has now declared a state of emergency for the overseas territory in the South Pacific for twelve days. This means, among other things, that it is now possible to restrict citizens’ freedom of movement and order house arrest. In addition, access to the Tiktok online service is temporarily blocked; it is used by many protesters. Soldiers are also securing bridges and the airport, which is currently closed.
The protests are triggered by electoral law reform. This should allow French people to take part in provincial elections in New Caledonia, provided they have lived there for at least ten years. For the indigenous Kanak population, however, this means that their influence is dwindling in favor of the French immigrants. The constitutional reform still needs to be passed by both chambers of parliament with a three-fifths majority.
The Kanak people make up 41 percent of the population
There have been conflicts between Paris and New Caledonia, with its almost 270,000 inhabitants, for decades. Around 41 percent of them belong to the indigenous population, 24 percent have European – mostly French – roots. There is a strong separatist movement. But in three referendums in recent years, those voting have always spoken out against independence from France. The archipelago around 1,500 kilometers east of Australia is not only rich in raw materials, it is also of strategic importance for France.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accuses Azerbaijan of helping to cause the unrest. Some of the separatists have made an agreement with Azerbaijan, said Darmanin. Demonstrators showed Azerbaijani flags and wore shirts with slogans of the Azerbaijani organization “Baku Initiative Group”. This relatively new organization denounces “French colonialism” and therefore supports supporters of independence – including in New Caledonia.
Sources: DPA, Reuters, AFP
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
