On Saturday, June 1st, in the Tuband neighborhood in the south of Nouméa, the curfew had been in place for some time. An altercation broke out between a group of “vigilant neighbors,” residents who had set up barricades after the riots began in New Caledonia, and a young police officer who was trying to cross one of them to visit his grandfather after his shift. There are conflicting reports about what happened. According to NC 1ère, the plainclothes police officer was allegedly physically assaulted, prompting him to file a complaint. However, a report aired by the public channel sparked a strong reaction from the Loyalists and Rally-LR group, who claim that the officer deliberately insulted the “vigilant neighbors,” trying to provoke them. They insist they maintained “restraint” and “composure,” simply restraining him until the police arrived.
The mention of Gil Brial, the second vice president (Loyalists) of the South Province who was present at the scene, outraged the two non-independence parties. In a statement, they accused the television channel of unfairly targeting Gil Brial and covering up the mistakes of independence-supporting police officers. It will be up to the justice system to unravel the details of this story, following the decision of the prosecutor to open an investigation on June 5th. This incident highlights the unease surrounding these groups of “neighbors” who, in the absence of the state restoring order, have banded together in the name of “self-defense” to protect their families and homes. After the outbreak of the uprising on May 13th, barricades manned 24/7 were erected throughout the Nouméa area, controlling traffic during the day and prohibiting it at night. While the majority are peaceful, some participants display radicalism that can lead others to leave and generate tensions. Firearms have also been reported at these locations.
In private groups on social media, Kanak people are sometimes referred to as “animals” or as “cockroaches” or simply as “K.” A woman who claims to have been assaulted at a barricade after dropping off her children at her ex-partner’s house recounts a traumatic experience of being verbally abused and threatened while leaving her job as a nurse at the hospital, which has been particularly challenging for the past three weeks. She believes that some people are becoming paranoid and losing their sense of humanity. It was only thanks to the intervention of a “kind man and a child” that she was able to continue her journey, in tears. Membership to access the full article is required for further details.
The situation in New Caledonia remains tense, with the presence of armed individuals at the barricades adding to the anxiety. The emergence of private social media groups where derogatory terms are used to refer to certain ethnic groups only exacerbates the divisions within the community. People report incidents of verbal and physical aggression at the barricades, with some expressing concern over the loss of humanity and compassion in these interactions. The need for intervention to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents is becoming increasingly urgent.
The media coverage of the incident involving the police officer and the “vigilant neighbors” has sparked controversy, with accusations of bias and misinformation flying from different sides of the political spectrum. The involvement of political figures in such incidents further complicates the situation, adding to the distrust and animosity between different groups in the community. As investigations into the incident proceed, it is crucial for authorities to address the underlying issues that have led to the formation of these vigilante groups and to work towards a peaceful resolution that upholds the rights and safety of all residents in New Caledonia. Only through dialogue, understanding, and a commitment to justice and reconciliation can the community move towards healing and unity in the face of ongoing challenges.
