Australia and New Zealand have initiated evacuation flights from violence-stricken New Caledonia, an archipelago in the French South Pacific territory. The Australian Foreign Minister confirmed clearance from French authorities for two evacuation flights, with a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules plane arriving in Noumea with the capacity to carry 124 passengers. The Department of Foreign Affairs reported that 300 Australians were stranded in New Caledonia, and efforts were underway to organize further evacuation flights for other foreign nationals.
Amid violent unrest in New Caledonia, where indigenous Kanaks have long sought independence from France, at least six people have died and hundreds have been injured. The violence erupted following controversial electoral reforms passed in Paris, and over 270 suspected rioters have been arrested with a curfew in place. France has deployed over a thousand security personnel to restore control in Noumea, where armed clashes, looting, and arson have turned parts of the city into no-go zones. The reopening of Noumea’s international airport, currently closed to commercial flights, will be reassessed on Thursday.
The New Zealand government has also sent an evacuation plane to bring back about 50 of its citizens stranded in New Caledonia. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters stated that the safety and timely return of New Zealanders in New Caledonia were a top priority, and plans were being made for additional evacuation flights in the coming days. The unrest in New Caledonia has highlighted the long-standing tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who wish to remain part of France.
The eruption of violence in New Caledonia stems from controversial electoral reforms being debated in the French legislature in Paris, which could impact voter lists in New Caledonia. The proposed changes, including allowing residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections, have sparked fear among opponents that it will further marginalize Kanaks and benefit pro-France politicians. This has exacerbated existing tensions between the two groups, with the recent violence leading to multiple deaths, injuries, and widespread damage in Noumea.
Efforts are underway to evacuate stranded citizens from New Caledonia as the situation remains volatile and unpredictable. Australia and New Zealand’s coordinated efforts to evacuate their citizens reflect the urgency and seriousness of the crisis, with hundreds of foreign nationals still in need of assistance. The deployment of security personnel by France and the imposition of a curfew signal the gravity of the situation in New Caledonia, where violence and unrest have disrupted daily life and cast a shadow over the future of the archipelago. As efforts continue to restore peace and stability, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals affected by the crisis in New Caledonia.
