Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has committed to maintaining the necessary police reinforcements in New Caledonia. This follows his tour of areas affected by fatal riots instigated by disputed electoral reform changes on the French-run Pacific island.
Macron made an impromptu visit to New Caledonia on Thursday in the wake of destructive riots that resulted in six fatalities and extensive damage, including looted stores, burnt-out cars and businesses, over the course of the week.
During a conference in Noumea with political and industry leaders, Macron announced plans for extensive operations to restore law and order. He insisted that the island’s stability would be fully recuperated as there were no alternative options.
Despite protester blockades obstructing roads across the island on Thursday, locals offered guidance on safe passageways to essential amenities through social media.
Earlier on, Macron had viewed the damaged and bulldozer-cleared zones via helicopter. Macron convened a meeting at France’s High Commission with mayors from the most impacted suburbs, pro-independence leaders as well as pro-French representatives.
Macron revealed that during the Paris Olympics, even if required, the augmented 3,000-strong security personnel will continue to enforce the island’s state of emergency. However, he expressed his opinion that the state of emergency should not be sustained, indicating it will only be relinquished once protesters dismantle their barricades.
Protesters have voiced concerns that the implemented electoral reform—sanctioned by legislators from mainland France—may undermine the voting influence of the indigenous Kanak community that comprises 40% of the island’s inhabitants (totalling 270,000), besides making future referendums on independence more challenging.
The ratification of this reform necessitates a parliamentary assembly, however, Macron is yet to confirm on whether this meeting will be postponed. His discussions included Louis Mapou, the president of New Caledonia’s government, and Roch Wamytan, Congress president and signatory to the 1998 Noumea Accord that concluded a decade of conflict by outlining a roadmap to progressive autonomy.
The political stalemate in New Caledonia has been exacerbated by the expiration of the accord in 2021 and a boycott by the Kanak community of an independent vote held during the Coronavirus outbreak. The pro-independence Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste bloc, prior to the meeting, released a statement outlining their expectation for a potent announcement from Mr. Macron that could potentially revitalise discussions.
Mr. Macron’s stated objective of the meeting, which also involved French loyalist politicians such as Sonia Backes, was to encourage all parties to return to the negotiation table. He emphasised that pacifying the situation should not mean reversing historic progress nor disregarding popular opinion that has already been expressed.
Following the meeting with Mr. Macron, Georges Naturel, a New Caledonian delegate in France’s Senate and the mayor of Dumbea, a location of recent commercial fires, called for societal reconstruction in a new manner. He affirmed their focus on youth support and developing concrete social projects, while acknowledging their political objectives had not yet been discussed.
Mr. Macron informed the meeting that more security forces would be deployed. However, Mr. Naturel stated their conviction that more than increased security was needed – potent political messages were also necessary.
He also emphasised that dialogue and calm is the key message. The FLNKS urges Macron to halt the electoral reform, which Paris insists is necessary for enhancing democracy on the island. According to the Noumea Accord, electoral rolls were held, and the reform would permit thousands of additional French residents with 10 years of residence in New Caledonia to vote.
Local political groups have expressed that Mr. Macron should also provide additional time for discussions on the island’s political future. New Caledonia, the world’s third largest nickel mining country, is dealing with a crisis in the sector and one fifth of its inhabitants live below the poverty line.
Mr. Macron, alongside his defence and interior security ministers, later paid a visit to the central police station in Noumea. He expressed his gratitude to a uniformed officer before engaging in a private meeting.