Virginie Ruffenach, leader of the Rassemblement group in the Congress of New Caledonia, stated that terrorism must not prevail during a press conference in Nouméa on May 20th. Loyalists in the territory are focused on maintaining order amidst a violent insurgence by independence activists since May 13th. Despite claims from French President Emmanuel Macron of progress in restoring order, right-wing officials in New Caledonia refute this and demand additional reinforcements. They criticize the lack of a sufficient response from the state in handling the situation.
Sonia Backès, the president of the Southern Province, emphasized the need to restore order within forty-eight hours as opposed to a political intervention from Paris. According to deputy Nicolas Metzdorf, there was a failure in intelligence due to the quality of organization by the rioters, the specific targets chosen, and the widespread actions across neighborhoods in New Caledonia. The existence of armed Caldoche militias mentioned by the high commissioner for the Republic in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, was denied by officials who instead highlighted ordinary citizens protecting their neighborhoods.
The high commissioner reported the arrest of 240 rioters since May 13th, with the prosecutor mentioning 216 cases of custody, including 144 for property damage, as well as 31 referrals and 11 incarcerations. Three murder investigations are ongoing. Loyalists are adamant that the current parliamentary process aimed at implementing constitutional reforms regarding the electoral system should not be derailed, as this was the catalyst for the unrest. Opposition to a suspension or cancellation of the Versailles congress is seen as validating the actions of the rioters, looters, and troublemakers.
Virginie Ruffenach clarified the distinction between armed militias and citizens setting up barricades in neighborhoods, stressing that the latter were not equivalent to violent groups passing through in cars to shoot. The focus on protecting local communities was prioritized over addressing the claims of armed militias. The response from the French government and local authorities to the situation in New Caledonia has been a point of contention among different political factions, with concerns raised about the handling of the unrest.
Despite differing opinions within New Caledonia’s political landscape, the consensus among loyalists remains on the need to prevent terrorism from gaining ground and to restore order effectively. The debate over the response to the violence and the role of the state in ensuring security continues to be a crucial aspect of the ongoing situation in the territory. While progress has been made in addressing the immediate challenges posed by the recent insurgence, the need for sustained efforts to maintain peace and stability in New Caledonia remains a pressing concern for all stakeholders involved.
