France declares a state of emergency in New Caledonia

New Caledonia, a French island territory in the Pacific Ocean, is engulfed in unrest and clashes between supporters and opponents of independence.

The protests began on Monday in response to the summing up of voting results in the French parliament, which, as the media note, is located 17 thousand kilometers from New Caledonia.

Deputies have proposed amendments to the New Caledonian constitution that would expand the voting rights of French people living on the islands. Lawmakers voted on the amendments Tuesday.

This led to unrest and riots. Cars are burning, shops and offices of local companies are looted. Schools are closed, and according to recent reports, three indigenous Kanak youth and one law enforcement officer were killed in clashes with police. informs Reuters.

Since May 15, a state of emergency declared by Paris has been in effect in New Caledonia. It gives local authorities additional powers. Large gatherings are prohibited and movement around the country is limited.

There is a curfew in the administrative center of the territory, the city of Niamey.

France has sent 500 police officers to beef up the force on the main island of New Caledonia, where the normal police force is around 1,800.

A new bill approved by lawmakers in Paris on Tuesday will allow French residents living in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections. Local leaders see the decision as a move that will weaken the voices of the indigenous Kanak population.

“No violence will be tolerated,” French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said, adding that the state of emergency would allow the French government to use sweeping measures to restore order.

“Over the past two days we have witnessed violence on a scale that we have not seen in New Caledonia for 30 years,” said CNN Denise Fisher, former Australian Consul General to New Caledonia. In her opinion, current events mark the end of 30 years of peace in the development of this French overseas territory.