French President Emmanuel Macron lands in New Caledonia amidst violent protests.
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in New Caledonia to engage with locals and restore order in the troubled region.
French President Emmanuel Macron has landed in New Caledonia with the aim of bringing peace to the Pacific island territory.
New Caledonia has experienced violent riots in the recent week following changes to voting rights by the French government, which extended them to French nationals residing in the region for 10 years or more.
The indigenous Kanak population, constituting 40 percent of the archipelago, is apprehensive about a potential decrease in representation in elections.
Socialist separatists, known as the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste, have demanded the suspension or repeal of the voting reform.
Nationalist rioters have caused significant destruction and chaos, including arson, looting, and violence resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries.
Addressing the situation on social media platform X, Mr. Macron talked about the need to restore stability in the region.
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“I join the people of New Caledonia in working towards a return to peace, normalcy, and security,” he stated.
The president is scheduled to hold discussions with local authorities in an effort to establish order.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong disclosed on Wednesday evening that 187 Australians and their families have returned from New Caledonia.
The Australian and French governments have collaborated to arrange evacuation flights out of the region on Thursday and Friday.
French officials have announced that due to operational constraints, no new flights can depart for Australia on Thursday.
Australians desiring to leave New Caledonia have been informed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that further delays in evacuation flights are probable, according to AAP.
A group of 103 travelers were transported to Brisbane on Wednesday, while 84 Australians and 24 other individuals arrived on Tuesday.
There are approximately 500 Australians in New Caledonia, with around 300 expressing interest in returning home through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
On Tuesday, Ms. Wong joined forces with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and French counterpart Stephane Sejourne to offer condolences, express appreciation for French efforts to restore calm, and reiterate Australia’s request for assistance.
French authorities have recently heightened security measures in New Caledonia, prohibiting gatherings, weapon transport, and alcohol sales.
Residents are required to adhere to a curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the emergency situation is resolved.
A total of 75 shops were able to resume operations as 90 roadblocks were cleared.
