Five residents of the independentist fief of the tribe of Saint-Louis in New Caledonia were arrested and detained, the prosecutor’s office announced on Friday, October 4. They had turned themselves in to the gendarmerie for their involvement in criminal activities. The prosecutor’s deputy in Noumea, Hélène Gaudet, stated that the individuals from the Saint-Louis tribe had been arrested and detained pending further investigation.
Three of the individuals are facing charges of attempted murder in an organized group, complicity in attempted murder of gendarmes, and participation in a criminal association with intent to commit a crime. The other two are being charged with armed robbery related to several carjackings, and one of them is also facing charges of arson for setting fire to vehicles. The situation has escalated in Saint-Louis, leading to increased tension and violence in the area.
Saint-Louis, located south of Noumea, has been isolated from the rest of the world due to a double barricade set up by the gendarmerie on the road passing through the tribe, following carjackings and shootings at law enforcement. This tribe, in the municipality of Mont-Dore, is where a gendarme was shot in the head in May during the riots that swept across the archipelago. Two young individuals were also killed by law enforcement on September 19 during a gendarmerie operation in the area.
The traditional leaders have been mediating with the young individuals in the community in an attempt to persuade them to surrender. In addition to the five individuals who have been arrested, a sixth resident who was being sought turned himself in on Tuesday. The situation in Saint-Louis, an independentist stronghold under high pressure from law enforcement, continues to be volatile and tense as the authorities work to address the ongoing issues in the community.
The ongoing conflicts and violent incidents in Saint-Louis have raised concerns about the safety and security of residents in the area. The clashes between law enforcement and individuals in the tribe have resulted in casualties and further strained the relations between the community and authorities. Efforts are being made to address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest and find peaceful resolutions to prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
The authorities in New Caledonia are working to investigate and prosecute those involved in criminal activities in Saint-Louis in order to restore peace and order in the community. The arrests and detentions of the five individuals are part of a broader effort to address the root causes of the violence and criminal behavior in the area. It is essential for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration to find sustainable solutions to the challenges facing Saint-Louis and promote reconciliation and peace in the community.
