Extreme riots rock French overseas territory
Up until today, France has domains beyond its borders. The government in Paris is the one with the authority over them. Within the region of New Caledonia, there are some residents who are upset about decisions concerning voting rights and they're calling for more autonomy. There have been a series of demonstrations on this archipelago.
Recently, 82 people were arrested in relation to the chaos in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. About 54 police officers were hurt during protests by the independence supporters, as stated by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin in a statement shared by franceinfo.
Since Monday, several shops and vehicles were set on fire. Eye-witnesses shared posts on social media about looting and arrests. The interntional airport and schools were closed indefinitely. There were also plans for curfews on the following night.
Tensions were high due to a potential constitutional change by the Paris administrators. This would allow thousands of French residents in this island location in the South Pacific to cast their ballots, giving them more authority. Debates started on this topic earlier this week in Paris, resulting in protests and conflicts with law enforcement, primarily in the suburban areas of the capital Nouméa, as per the information provided by 1ère Nouvelle-Calédonie, a public broadcaster.
New Caledonia, about 1,500 kilometers east of Australia, is a crucial area for Paris due to its strategic importance, military presence, and the nickel deposits it holds. The people living there voted to stay as a part of France in three referendums held in 2018, 2020, and 2021. However, the independence movement chose to skip the last vote and declared they wouldn't acknowledge the outcome. Indigenous residents, particularly the Kanak group, have long dreamed of having their own nation.
Potential new status for New Caledonia
Discussions about the possible new status for New Caledonia were reopened in France last year. In July, President Emmanuel Macron went to Nouméa and announced a customized constiutional amendment related to New Caledonia during a forum with numerous backers. The French administration is working on coming to a conclusion in the coming weeks.
The protests were sparked by a plan that would allow voters of French descent who've been in New Caledonia for more than a decade to cast their votes. Prior to this, the ballots of the residents who moved there after 1998 were considered frozen. The occupied region, with roughly 270,000 residents, had already won considerable self-rule through the 1998 Nouméa Agreement. This accord included the possibility of holding up to three votes on independence. A new status is set to be decided by June.
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Amidst the ongoing demonstrations, President Emmanuel Macron is pushing forward with discussions about a potential new status for New Caledonia. Despite the escalating riots in the French overseas territory, the plan includes allowing voters of French descent who've lived there for over a decade to cast their ballots, a change that has sparked outrage among some residents.
Source: www.ntv.de
