New Caledonia: Security forces mobilized, curfew imposed amid unrest in Noumea | Politics News
Buildings and cars set on fire after protests against constitutional amendments sparked unrest
Security forces were mobilized and a curfew was imposed on the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia, after a general strike and protests against proposed constitutional changes turned into violence.
Shops and buildings were set on fire and looting was reported in the capital Noumea, as well as neighboring settlements, on Monday night, following a day of action over proposed changes being debated in Paris that would increase the size of the electorate for upcoming provincial elections.
Many members of the indigenous population fear the change will “further minimize the indigenous Kanak people.” About 41 percent of New Caledonia’s population is Kanak.
Saying the violence was continuing, Louis Le Franc, the high commissioner of New Caledonia, said in a statement that security forces had been mobilized and that a curfew would be imposed from 6pm on May 14 (0700 GMT) until 6am on May 15th. (19:00 GMT on May 14).
“The High Commissioner condemns in the strongest terms these acts of violence, which constitute serious attacks on people and property,” the statement said.
Videos shared on social media by media outlet NC La 1ere showed black smoke billowing into the sky as some industrial zones in Noumea came under attack on Tuesday. Shots could also be heard. He described the situation in some areas of the city as “tense”.
New Caledonia’s airport was closed, as were schools.
The high commissioner said 36 people were arrested.
In the Normandy neighborhood in Nouméa, the situation is not calming down. pic.twitter.com/BRxd2TojKn
-NC La 1ère (@ncla1ere) May 14, 2024
[Translation: The situation in Noumea’s Normandie district has not calmed]
🚨 IN IMAGES – Chaos reigns in Nouméa after a summer night. More photos here 👉 pic.twitter.com/oKuHRHJHdV
— Caillou’s voice (@LaVoixduCaillou) May 14, 2024
[Translation: In photos: Chaos in Noumea after a night of riots]
New Caledonia, which has a population of almost 300,000 people, is one of France’s largest overseas territories and a key part of its claim as a Pacific power.
Voters rejected independence in a series of referendums organized under the so-called Noumea Agreement of 1998, which followed earlier violent unrest.
Pro-independence groups boycotted the final vote in December 2021 and rejected the result in which turnout was just 44 percent.
The electoral changes, which sparked mass demonstrations last month amid rising political tension, aim to update the electoral roll for New Caledonia’s provincial and assembly elections.
Under the Noumea Agreement, these polls are open only to those who lived in the territory when the agreement was signed, meaning that the 40,000 French citizens who have moved to New Caledonia since 1998 are excluded.
Any changes must secure the support of three-fifths of the national assembly in Paris to come into force, because the Noumea Agreement is part of the French constitution.
Nouméa is about 17,000 km (10,563 miles) from Paris.
