The French territory of New Caledonia woke up on May 15, 2024, after a second consecutive night of riots, which were denounced as “unworthy” by French President Emmanuel Macron. These riots were sparked by the constitutional revision of the electoral system, which angered the independence movement in New Caledonia. During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, a person was killed by a gunshot in Nouméa during the ongoing violence that had been shaking the archipelago since Monday. The High Commissioner of the Republic, Louis Le Franc, confirmed the death and stated that the situation was becoming “insurrectional” in the archipelago, with a total of 140 arrests made by law enforcement in Nouméa.
Hundreds of people, including around a hundred police officers and gendarmes, have been injured during the riots, as confirmed by Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories Gérald Darmanin. The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting are still being investigated. The night before, there were around 200 fires reported in Greater Nouméa, with sixty industrial and commercial structures being destroyed by flames, impacting approximately a thousand jobs. Despite the curfew imposed by the High Commissioner for the night, the list of businesses, factories, and infrastructure set on fire continued to grow.
Upon waking up on Tuesday morning, the people of New Caledonia were met with a mix of emotions such as anger, sadness, and confusion as they surveyed the aftermath of the riots in Nouméa. The city was scarred by the damage, with thick black smoke in some areas, captured by residents and shared on social media. The streets were filled with debris and remnants of fires, with barricades made by masked Kanak youths obstructing the roads, forcing drivers to navigate carefully through the chaos of the aftermath.
As a response to the escalating violence in New Caledonia, President Emmanuel Macron urged the independence movement and loyalists to find a peaceful resolution. The ongoing unrest has led to tragic consequences, with one person losing their life to gun violence. The situation in the archipelago has reached a critical point, with the government working to restore order and ensure the safety of all residents. The destructive riots have caused significant damage to the economy and local businesses, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the community. As the authorities continue to address the root causes of the unrest, a resolution to the political tensions in New Caledonia remains crucial for the peace and stability of the region.
