In Nouméa, on May 18, 2024, more than 600 gendarmes were mobilized on the road to Nouméa’s airport, with additional law enforcement personnel expected in the archipelago to restore order in New Caledonia. Despite a night considered “calmer” by the High Commission of the Republic in New Caledonia, violence has not completely stopped, and blockages continue on the archipelago, four days after the National Assembly in Paris voted on a constitutional reform that ignited the territory. The reform aims to expand the electoral body during provincial elections, but independence advocates fear that it will further marginalize the indigenous Kanak people. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced a “major operation with over 600 gendarmes, including a hundred from the GIGN” on Sunday morning to fully regain control of the 60-kilometer road connecting Nouméa to the La Tontouta international airport.
The death toll has risen with the death of a sixth person, a Caldoche (a person of European origin from New Caledonia), in Kaala-Gomen, in the North Province. The other five deaths were two gendarmes and three Kanak civilians in the Nouméa metropolitan area. The road to the airport is a priority for the government as flights to and from New Caledonia have been suspended since Tuesday, leaving 3,200 people stranded. The French government is working to regain control of the situation amidst requests from New Zealand to land planes for repatriation efforts. Despite the additional forces deployed, the media library in the Rivière-Salée neighborhood in Nouméa was reportedly set on fire, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining order.
An independent organization called CCAT has been accused of inciting violence in certain areas, causing unrest and destruction. Schools in the South Province remain closed, making it challenging for the population to access basic necessities and healthcare. The exceptional measures of the state of emergency, such as curfews, prohibited gatherings, transport of weapons, and alcohol sales, along with the ban on the TikTok app, are still in place. The population is struggling to move around, purchase essential items, and receive medical care as the situation escalates each day, making logistics difficult in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
The situation in Nouméa is described as far from peaceful, with the city feeling like a besieged area according to the mayor, Sonia Lagarde. Despite efforts to restore order and implement security measures, challenges persist in maintaining stability and addressing the root causes of the unrest. The closure of schools in the South Province indicates the disruption and impact of the ongoing crisis on daily life in New Caledonia. The government continues to work towards regaining control and ensuring the safety of the population amidst rising tensions and violence in the archipelago.
