French authorities in New Caledonia have regained full control over the capital of their Pacific territory, the French interior and foreign minister said on Friday, after two weeks of unrest that left seven people dead and caused significant destruction in the archipelago, killing dozens had years of tension between those seeking independence. and those loyal to France.
Gerald Darmanin said in a post on
Darmanin said 400 members of the security forces of France and New Caledonia were involved in the operation, including members of France’s elite police unit for anti-terrorism and anti-organized crime and its French army counterparts. Twelve people were arrested during the operation and 26 roadblocks were dismantled and cleared, the minister said.
Violence flared on May 13 in response to attempts from the government of French President Emmanuel Macron to amend the French Constitution and amend the voting lists in New Caledonia. France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory on May 15 and rushed in hundreds of reinforcements to help police quell the uprising, which included shootings, clashes, looting and arson.
Both sides of New Caledonia’s bitter divide – the indigenous Kanaks, who want independence, and those loyal to France – have erected barricades, either to rebel against authorities or to protect their homes and property. Pro-independence protesters built barricades from charred vehicles and other debris, turning parts of the capital Noumea into no-go zones.
French President Emmanuel Macron decided to lift the measure on Monday state of emergency in New Caledonia to help facilitate dialogue between local parties and the French authorities for the future of the archipelago’s 270,000 inhabitants and to restore peace.
Pro-independence parties and Kanak leaders have urged Macron to do so to repeal the electoral reform law if France wants to ‘end the crisis’. Opponents fear the voting legislation will benefit pro-French politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize indigenous Kanaks, who have long fought to gain freedom from French rule amid sharp economic disparities and decades of of discrimination.
Although violence has subsided in recent days, tensions remain as pro-independence leaders have called on their supporters to “stay mobilized” and “maintain the resistance” against France.
Although the emergency measures have been lifted, a curfew and curfew still apply. Travel is banned in New Caledonia between 6pm and 6am, except for health emergencies, and a ban on public gatherings, the transport and carrying of weapons and the sale of alcohol remains in place.
The main international airport, La Tontouta, will remain closed to commercial traffic until at least Monday, and schools will not resume until mid-June, according to local authorities.
New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleon’s nephew and heir. It became an overseas territory after World War II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957.