A state of emergency was declared in New Caledonia by the French government following violent riots that erupted over a proposed amendment to the French Constitution. The protests were sparked by a vote in France’s Parliament approving the amendment, which would change local voting rules in the territory. The priority for authorities was to restore order and calm, with over 1,800 security officers already in the territory and 500 reinforcements on the way. The army was also deployed to secure ports and the airport.
Businesses and public buildings were looted or set on fire during the riots, resulting in three deaths and hundreds of injuries, including 64 police officers. Nearly 200 people were arrested, with the Interior Ministry issuing warrants for suspects believed to be behind the violence. The state of emergency granted authorities more policing powers, allowing for measures such as traffic bans, house arrests, protests bans, and raids without normal judicial oversight. President Emmanuel Macron expressed strong emotion over the deaths and vowed a relentless response to restore order.
New Caledonia, annexed by France in 1853, has a population of about 270,000 with indigenous Kanaks making up around 40 percent. The territory has faced ongoing tensions due to the prospect of independence and social inequality. Despite holding three independence referendums since 2018, all have been voted down. The proposed constitutional change touched a nerve with pro-independence activists who feared it would weaken their movement. France views New Caledonia as a crucial foothold in the Indo-Pacific region and has warned of the territory falling under China’s influence if it gains independence.
Tensions in New Caledonia have been building for weeks, culminating in violent protests on Monday night. In response, Macron’s government pledged not to enact the constitutional change until the end of June and invited pro- and anti-independence groups for talks to find a local solution. The Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), the main pro-independence group, condemned the vote on the constitutional amendment but called for calm. Talks offered by the French government were seen as an opportunity to address the demands of all parties involved in the protests.
The French High Commission in New Caledonia announced a curfew in the capital Noumea along with a ban on public gatherings. The international airport has been closed, commercial flights canceled, and schools shut until further notice. The situation in New Caledonia highlighted the fragile balance between the territory’s push for independence and France’s strategic interests in the region. The riots underscored the deep-rooted tensions and complex dynamics at play in the semiautonomous French territory. France faced the challenge of addressing the grievances of the pro-independence movement while maintaining its influence and presence in the region.
