French President Emmanuel Macron is considering declaring a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to quell spiraling violence, the presidency announced Wednesday.
On Wednesday, officials in the territory and French media reported that at least three people were killed and four others, including a gendarme, were seriously injured. More than 130 people have been arrested and over 300 injured since Monday when protests against a constitutional voting reform pushed by Paris turned violent in the archipelago, which has long sought independence.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who attended a two-hour meeting with top ministers at the Elysee, stated in parliament that the goal of the state of emergency would be “to restore order in the shortest time possible.”
In a statement, Macron emphasized the importance of resuming political dialogue and requested that the prime minister and minister of interior and overseas territories invite New Caledonian delegations to Paris.
“All violence is intolerable and will be the subject of a relentless response to ensure the return of order,” the statement read.
Tensions have existed on the archipelago for decades, with Indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers wanting to remain part of France.
Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of Interior and Overseas Territories, stated that 100 gendarmes were evacuated overnight following “an attack on their station with an ax and live ammunition.”
“Calm must absolutely be restored,” Darmanin stated in an interview with French broadcaster RTL.
On Tuesday, the French Interior Ministry sent police reinforcements to New Caledonia, a former prison colony that now houses a French military base.
At a news conference in New Caledonia, the territory’s top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, said that approximately 1,000 gendarmes and 700 police officers, as well as a dozen professionals from a specialized police intervention and riot control unit, had been deployed.
The territory’s political parties called for “calm and reason” among those who support independence and those who want the island to remain part of France.
“We have to continue to live together,” the rival parties said in a joint statement on Wednesday. “Only with dialogue and resilience (we will) get through this situation.”
Travel Advice & Safety
We’ve increased our advice for New Caledonia, advising people to exercise extreme caution due to protests and travel disruptions. We have also increased the level of advice for the Noumea metropolitan area, advising you to reconsider your travel plans due to civil unrest, travel disruptions, and limited essential services.
Political demonstrations and protests are taking place, and they have the potential to become violent at any time. A curfew is in effect for the Noumea metropolitan area from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and local authorities have advised residents to shelter in place throughout the day.
This may be extended as needed. Essential services are affected. The La Tontouta International Airport has closed, and flights have been canceled until at least Friday, May 17. Avoid demonstrations, public gatherings, and roadblocks. Reduce movement, monitor the media, and follow local authorities’ advice.
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