French President Macron vows to restore calm to violence-hit New Caledonia

Upon arriving in Noumea, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, he walks alongside French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and Louis Le Franc, France’s High Commissioner to New Caledonia (3rd left) – Copyright AFP HENRY NICHOLLS

Mathurin Deler, Charlotte Manevi and Francesco Fontemaggi on board the presidential plane

President Emmanuel Macron arrived in France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Thursday and vowed to restore calm “as quickly as possible” following separatist violence that has left six people dead and hundreds injured.

Macron arrived in the capital, Noumea, for talks with political and business leaders as he carries out the monumental task of ending more than a week of looting, arson and deadly clashes that have ravaged the popular tourist destination.

After disembarking from the plane at Tontouta International Airport, the French prime minister said the goal was to “restore peace, tranquility and security as soon as possible.”

“That is the absolute priority,” Macron said.

French authorities sent about 3,000 troops, police and other security forces to quell the unrest. The unrest has left the islands littered with burnt-out cars and the remains of burned-out schools, shops and businesses.

Police have arrested 269 people since the unrest began on May 13, officials said.

President Macron held a minute’s silence for the six dead, including two police officers, and vowed that security forces would remain “as long as necessary.”

France’s High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said the previous night had been calm.

“There was no additional damage but so much was destroyed,” he told AFP.

There has long been tension between the Paris government and pro-independence voices among the indigenous Kanak people, who make up about 40% of the population.

– Canuck Obstacles –

The archipelago’s worst unrest in four decades has been sparked by France’s plans to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous residents, which the Kanaks say will reduce the influence of their vote.

On the day of Macron’s visit, Kanak manned reinforced barricades, carrying pro-independence flags and banners protesting against electoral reforms, AFP correspondents said.

After flying 17,000 kilometers (10,500 miles) from mainland France, Mr. Macron was scheduled to spend about 12 hours on the ground.

His last trip to New Caledonia was in July 2023, a trip boycotted by Canuck representatives.

The pro-independence FLNKS party, backed by CCAT activist groups that have organised protests against the voting reforms, said it would strengthen checkpoints and set up a “welcoming committee” to receive the president.

CCAT announced it would close major roads leading to the north of the island throughout the day on Thursday.

“I don’t understand why our fate is being discussed by people who don’t live here,” said Mike, a 52-year-old Kanak resident, at a barricade north of the capital, on the eve of Macron’s arrival.

Armed locals of French and other origins set up barricades in their neighborhoods.

France declared a state of emergency last week, putting Kanak extremists under house arrest, a curfew and bans on TikTok, public gatherings, the sale of alcohol and possession of weapons.

President Macron announced plans to set up a task force to deal with the situation and said the 12-day crisis measures would not be extended if all sides demanded an end to the blockade.

– Trapped tourists –

Trapped tourists are starting to flee the chaos.

Australia said 187 people had been flown home, while New Zealand is also repatriating a large number of tourists through Noumea Magenta domestic airport.

Further tourist evacuation flights will be planned once the international airport reopens to commercial flights, which operators expect to resume on Saturday.

New Caledonia has rejected independence in three previous referendums, the last of which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and was boycotted by the Kanak people, who are fierce opponents of French rule.

Plans to grant voting rights to people who have lived in the territory for at least 10 years have further exacerbated Kanak resentment but are broadly supported by pro-French representatives.

Macron said peace could not be achieved at the cost of ignoring the will of the people or “in some way negating the path already taken”, and ruled out reversing the referendum result.

One option for President Macron is to delay the passage of the voting rights bill, which has been approved by the House of Commons but must be ratified by both houses of France’s parliament.

Byrds DJW/ARB/SMW