Violence in New Caledonia leads to another fatality.
After the uprisings in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, authorities say tensions have yet to de-escalate. Authorities are sending an additional 1,000 emergency personnel to the region. At least six people have been killed in the chaos.
An additional death has been reported in the demonstrations of New Caledonia. This brings the total death toll to six since the riots began on Monday, according to numerous French media outlets. The individual was attempting to cross a roadblock with his son when gunfire erupted. Three individuals suffered injuries in the incident.
The mayor of Nouméa, Sonia Lagarde, informed BFMTV that the situation in New Caledonia is far from settled, despite a slight decrease in disturbances at night. Tonight, France deployed an extra 1,000 troops to the island south of the Pacific to assure the safety of the ports and airport amidst the riots from supporters of independence for the archipelago.
The nightly curfew and the state of emergency, which authorizes the authorities to disallow gatherings and grant extended powers to law enforcement and the judiciary, are still in place. In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal revoked the lighting of the Olympic flame in New Caledonia. The flame was supposed to visit the island, 1500 kilometers east of Australia, before the start of the Summer Games in Paris.
Protests by those demanding independence for the archipelago revolve around a proposed constitutional change by the French government. This initiative would grant thousands of French citizens the right to vote and thus, more political power. The Kanak people - the indigenous populace of New Caledonia - have long yearned for their own state. The National Council of Kanaks criticized Paris for pushing forward this contentious project without considering the overwhelming opposition from the local population.
Formerly under French rule, New Caledonia acquired significant autonomy through the Nouméa Agreement in 1998. The French government is now attempting to negotiate a new accord with the territory's political actors.
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The escalating tensions in New Caledonia, sparked by protests over the proposed constitutional change, have led to riots and multiple deaths. France, concerned about the safety of its ports and airport, has deployed additional troops to the region, further intensifying the situation in France's overseas territory.
Source: www.ntv.de
