Violent protests

France now launches “major operation”

For days, important communication routes have been occupied by protesting New Caledonians.(Bild: APA/AFP/Theo Rouby)

The revolt over a planned change to the electoral law in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia continues. Due to the tense situation, the government in Paris has declared a state of emergency on the archipelago in the Pacific and deployed 1000 additional security forces. They are now to bring the airport back under their control.

France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the deployment of hundreds of security forces in the French overseas territory on Sunday. They are to clear the way to the airport. The road has been blocked for days by independence supporters. There was talk of a "major operation".

(Bild: APA/AFP/Delphine Mayeur)

Heavily armed gendarmes removed around 60 barricades along the main road between the airport and the capital Noumea on Sunday. However, it will probably take a few more days to clear the road, said the French High Commissioner for the South Pacific archipelago, Louis Le Franc, on Sunday. Debris would first have to be cleared from the road. Flights to and from New Caledonia have been suspended since Tuesday. On Saturday, the government declared that 3200 people were stranded due to the flight cancellations.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Theo Rouby)

Riots have claimed six lives so far
The riots were triggered by a change in electoral law promoted by France, which, according to independence advocates, would reduce the influence of the original population. According to the local authorities, six people have been killed and hundreds injured since the riots began on Monday.

The New Caledonia conflict has been simmering for decades. Around 41 percent of the almost 270,000 inhabitants belong to the indigenous Kanak population, while 24 percent have European - mostly French - roots. In three referendums in recent years, voters have spoken out against independence from France.