The president of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, arrived in New Caledonia in an explosive context, marked by deadly riots. These disturbances were triggered by the controversial project of unfreezing the electoral body, a reform perceived as a threat by a part of the population.
Faced with this situation, Emmanuel Macron announced a postponement of “a few weeks” of the electoral reform project, initially planned to be submitted to Congress at the end of June. This decision comes after several days of violence which cost the lives of six people. “I am committed that this reform will not be forced into force in the current context and that we will give ourselves a few weeks to resume dialogue and find a global agreement,” declared the president.
Despite meetings with all the stakeholders, whether loyalists or separatists, the president has not succeeded in bringing them together around the same table, a sign that the situation remains tense. Macron expressed his wish to see an end to hostilities, the lifting of the state of emergency and the resumption of dialogue. He announced the establishment of a mediation mission made up of three senior officials, with a progress update planned in a month. This agreement, if it is reached, will have to be submitted to a vote by Caledonians.
The president has ruled out any challenges to the three self-determination referendums of 2018, 2020 and 2021, all of which rejected independence. Although these votes did not pacify relations, Macron stressed their strict application and called for reflection after the referendum.
After ten days of riots, a return to relative calm has been observed, although many roadblocks remain. Upon his arrival, Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the victims and described an “unprecedented insurrection movement” in terms of its organization and its violence. He estimated that extending the state of emergency beyond the legal 12 days would not be necessary if the blockades were lifted quickly. To do this, 3 members of the police, including GIGN and RAID units, were deployed to gradually retake the neighborhoods and remove the roadblocks.
On the economic front, Macron promised “emergency aid” to deal with the “colossal damage” caused by the rioters. He affirmed that New Caledonia should not become “the Wild West” and insisted on the need to remove all roadblocks and points of violence.
Macron's visit to New Caledonia aims to navigate a context of violence and mistrust. The electoral reform project, which aims to expand the electorate for provincial elections, has triggered violence unprecedented in decades. The roadblocks set up by the rioters remain in place and La Tontouta international airport remains closed until Tuesday, further disrupting daily life and travel.
Neighboring countries, such as Vanuatu and New Zealand, are organizing the repatriation of their nationals in the face of escalating violence. Meanwhile, the police continue their operations to secure neighborhoods, a process which requires “phenomenal means” according to the leader of the loyalists, Sonia Backès.
In short, the situation in New Caledonia remains extremely fragile. President Macron's desire for dialogue and the establishment of a mediation mission constitute crucial steps in trying to restore peace and move towards a global agreement acceptable to all parties.
