The situation in New Caledonia remains highly concerning despite being overshadowed by the legislative election campaign. The archipelago, which has been under heavy police presence since riots broke out in mid-May, resulting in nine deaths and extensive damage, has seen a new outbreak of violence in recent days. Following the arrests and transfer of seven independence activists to France for incarceration, tension on the island has increased. The group, known as the Coordination Cell of Field Actions (CCAT), is suspected of inciting violence in response to a electoral reform vote in Paris that the indigenous Kanak population opposed. The CCAT demands the immediate release and return of its members to be judged on their own land, sparking further unrest.
The decision to transfer the activists thousands of kilometers away has rekindled violence on the island, which had been relatively calm until then. The move has triggered memories of the 1988 Ouvéa tragedy, where Kanak individuals accused of taking gendarmes hostage were also imprisoned in France before being granted amnesty. The prosecutor defending the decision cited the need to continue investigations free from pressure or fraudulent collaboration. The charges against the activists include complicity in attempted murder due to shots fired at law enforcement officers. The secrecy surrounding the transfers and the lack of terrorist or blood crime charges have led to accusations of political justice and exceptional treatment by the legal system.
Lawyers representing the detained activists have condemned the abrupt and disproportionate decision, particularly targeting the case of Brenda Wanabo, a mother of three who was sent to Dijon for incarceration. They argue that the situation confirms the existence of a biased and politically motivated justice system. The Ministry of Justice has remained silent on the matter, emphasizing the independence of the decision made by a judicial magistrate. The ongoing legal dispute is exacerbated by the tense management of the New Caledonia dossier, with President Emmanuel Macron attempting to negotiate deals between opposing factions, leading to a potential pre-civil war situation. With moderate voices marginalized, the situation remains volatile, with the Council of Kanak Customary Chiefs denouncing a dual-speed justice system that turns a blind eye to loyalist militia members.
The lack of progress towards reconciliation between Kanak and loyalists in the aftermath of the 1998 Nouméa Accords, along with the heavy-handed approach by the French government, has deepened divisions in New Caledonia. The failure to engage in meaningful dialogue and the attempt to reach agreements with radical factions has pushed the territory closer to potential civil conflict. With the unrest escalating and mistrust growing, there are fears of further violence and instability in the region. The troubled history and unresolved tensions continue to overshadow efforts for peace and reconciliation, raising concerns about the future of New Caledonia and the well-being of its population.
