The loyalists in New Caledonia have rejected the existence of any armed group or militias in the country. Despite concerns from the high commissioner about the presence of armed groups and even “assassins” involved in recent shootings, the president of the province Sud stated that there are no militias in the region. The high commissioner had previously mentioned confrontations between members of active groups and self-defense militias, but emphasized that it was not their role to be armed.
The prosecutor in Nouméa confirmed that there were two investigations opened for “voluntary homicide” in addition to the one for “assassination” related to the death of a mobile gendarme on May 15. The investigations were related to the deaths of individuals in different incidents, including a man shot in the back in Nouméa and a man and a young girl shot by a merchant in Ducos. Despite these incidents, the loyalists continue to deny the existence of any organized militias and stress the importance of legally protecting citizens.
There is a distinction made in New Caledonia between extremists who openly express hatred towards Kanaks and ordinary citizens who are concerned about protecting their homes, even if they are armed with long-range rifles. The situation is delicate, with tensions rising as violence escalates in the region. While some try to downplay the role of certain citizens in the violence, reports from the ground indicate a desire from some individuals to engage in confrontations amidst the chaos.
Journalists on the ground in New Caledonia have reported on efforts by the province Sud to guide national media towards showcasing the actions of “ordinary citizens” rather than focusing on potential militias. Messages have also been circulated among loyalists to counter national media reports painting them in a negative light. Despite these efforts, the situation remains complex and it is difficult to fully distinguish between legitimate self-defense measures and more aggressive actions taken by certain individuals.
The recent events in New Caledonia have raised concerns about the breakdown of law and order in the region, with loyalists expressing frustration at the ongoing violence. The situation remains tense, with fears of further unrest and clashes between different groups. Efforts continue to try and maintain peace and stability in the region, but the underlying tensions and grievances remain a challenge to overcome. The loyalists and authorities are working to address the situation and prevent further escalation of violence in New Caledonia.
