PARIS (AP) — A police officer in riot-hit New Caledonia shot and killed a man on Friday after being attacked by a group of about 15 people, marking the seventh shooting death in the ongoing unrest in the French Pacific archipelago. French President Emmanuel Macron made an emergency round-trip visit to de-escalate the violence and called for local leaders to help quell the unrest that began on May 13. The officer involved in the shooting is in custody, and an investigation is underway. Macron laid out a roadmap that could lead to another referendum for the territory, potentially focusing on a new political deal after three previous votes rejected independence.
Macron urged for the dismantling of protesters’ barricades as a necessary step before lifting the state of emergency imposed by Paris to restore order in New Caledonia. He emphasized the need for roadblocks and other flashpoints to be removed to progress towards lifting the state of emergency, which has been in place since May 15. The state of emergency has empowered police to combat the unprecedented violence that has erupted in the archipelago, where tensions over independence have persisted between Kanaks and descendants of colonists and other settlers. Security forces have made over 350 arrests, and the violence has resulted in destruction estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros (dollars).
The proposed reform for provincial elections in New Caledonia, which has sparked the unrest, aims to increase voter numbers in the legislature and government by adding about 25,000 voters, including long-term residents and those born in the archipelago. Pro-independence supporters fear that the reform will benefit pro-France politicians and further marginalize Kanaks, who have historically faced segregation and discrimination. Macron pledged not to push through the reform hastily and emphasized the importance of dialogue and reconciliation, cautioning against violence. He noted that maintaining the level of deployment of security forces is essential until the situation stabilizes.
The police officer involved in the fatal shooting was attacked by a group of individuals while driving in an area outside of Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, prompting him to fire a shot in self-defense. The officer and a colleague were physically assaulted, and the 48-year-old man was fatally shot during the altercation. An investigation into the shooting has been opened by the prosecutor, following standard procedure for such cases involving French officers. Macron’s visit to the archipelago was prompted by pressure from politicians in France and pro-independence supporters to reconsider the electoral reform, which has been a source of contention between the two sides on the issue of independence.
The unrest in New Caledonia has resulted in widespread violence targeting businesses, homes, public buildings, and other sites, causing significant destruction and chaos in the archipelago. Macron’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between the opposing factions in New Caledonia have been met with challenges due to the deep-rooted historical tensions over independence. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the need for sustainable solutions to address the underlying issues fueling the unrest. Macron’s proposed roadmap for a potential referendum and a new political deal signals a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in New Caledonia.
