Australians traveling to New Caledonia are being warned to exercise a high degree of caution as political demonstrations and protests against constitutional reform break out on the French territory.
Three people were killed and hundreds injured in the violent unrest, a spokesman for New Caledonia’s president, Louis Mapou, said.
Protests broke out on Monday night in response to a vote in France’s National Assembly to allow the right to vote to French citizens who have resided in New Caledonia for 10 years.
The reform, which according to legislators was democratically fair, was approved by 351 votes to 153.
Protesters have argued that the legislation will minimize the voting power of the indigenous Kanak people, who make up about 40 percent of the country’s 300,000 citizens.
The three dead were young Kanak indigenous people. One of them was shot dead; Local reports indicate that it was due to an act of alleged self-defense and not due to actions by law enforcement.
The Australian government’s Smart Traveler website has increased its level of advice for the Noumea metropolitan area, advising a high degree of caution due to protests and demonstrations.
Three dead as riots and looting break out in New Caledonia and tourists urged to stay away from island nation
Protests broke out on Monday night in response to a vote in France’s National Assembly to allow the right to vote to French citizens who have resided in New Caledonia for 10 years.
“Political demonstrations and protests are taking place that may turn violent in a short time,” the website reads.
The office of the high commissioner, France’s top representative in New Caledonia, said one death was caused by gunshot wounds related to the protests, but gave no details about the second.
Violence has also been reported in the Paita commune.
A curfew was issued for the Noumea metropolitan area from 6pm on Tuesday to 6am on Wednesday, with the Australian government warning there was a possibility of demonstrations elsewhere.
Noumea’s curfew was also accompanied by a ban on public gatherings, but local authorities warned that protest actions had continued despite the crackdown, with authorities reporting one escape attempt at Noumea prison within a day. following.
“Essential services are affected and flights have been cancelled,” reads the Smart Traveler website.
‘La Tontouta International Airport has closed.
‘Avoid demonstrations, public meetings and roadblocks.
“Minimize movement, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.”
The French Interior Minister has said that hundreds of people and about 100 police officers were injured.
Authorities put the arrest count at 130 since Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron called a meeting of the national security and defense council to discuss the unrest.
He was previously scheduled to travel to Normandy.
The Australian government says essential services are affected. Photo: Theo Rouby / AFP
The High Commissioner of the Republic of France in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, warned of further bloodshed if peace could not be maintained.
‘This has to stop now. “We already have one person dead, but if we don’t stop now, it will be carnage,” Le France said.
“I fear that dark hours lie ahead for New Caledonia.”
On Wednesday, Anthony Albanese said Australia values its relationship with both New Caledonia and the French state.
“We respect and support the process and ongoing discussions between all parties,” the Prime Minister said.
New Caledonia’s status as a French territory has been a constant source of political friction, but the ongoing protests represent the largest scale of unrest since the pro-independence demonstrations of the 1980s.
The Territory’s 1998 Noumea Agreement was introduced to transition the country towards greater autonomy by granting voting rights only to the population of the time and restricting the political influence of new French immigrants.
This latest legislation gives French expats greater voting power.
An estimated 40,000 French citizens have emigrated to New Caledonia in the 26 years since the Noumea Agreement.
A local resident clears the roads of burned debris left by rioters.
As part of the Agreement, New Caledonia held three referendums to determine the country’s political future.
Each of these referendums, held in 2018, 2020 and 2021, offered voters the option of independence.
Self-determination was rejected in all cases.
The final referendum was boycotted by the pro-independence parties in 2021.
‘We are closely monitoring the situation in New Caledonia. “Australia values our relationship with both New Caledonia and the French State,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said.
‘We respect and support the referendum process within the framework of the Noumea Agreement and the ongoing discussions.
“We encourage all parties to work together constructively to shape the institutional future of New Caledonia.”
While New Caledonia is semi-independent, France still maintains sovereign control when it comes to defence, foreign affairs, the courts and economic policy.
France has deployed four gendarmerie squads, a form of French paramilitary enforcer.
