Three people were killed and hundreds injured, shops were looted and public buildings torched during a second night of rioting in New Caledonia, authorities said, as anger over constitutional reforms from Paris boiled over.

Nouméa

Three people have died, and hundreds are injured following a second night of extensive rioting in New Caledonia, triggered by discontent with constitutional reforms proposed by the French government. The unrest has led to widespread looting, the arson of public buildings, and significant damage across the territory. The proposed bill, which has found favor among a majority of French lawmakers, is designed to permit French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years to participate in local elections—a move that has incited fear among indigenous populations regarding the potential dilution of their political influence.

The controversy surrounding the proposed legislation has ignited the most severe outbreak of violence that New Caledonia, a French-ruled Pacific island, has seen in four decades. In response to the escalating situation, French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a call for peace, urging that the constitutional reform, set for adoption in a special congressional session this upcoming summer, could be revisited if the pro-independence and loyalist factions can reach a consensus on an alternative proposal. Macron has extended an invitation to New Caledonian political leaders to engage in dialogue in Paris in the forthcoming weeks, emphasizing the necessity of calm, dialogue, and a unified solution to the crisis. Amidst the turmoil, Nouméa, the capital, experienced its second consecutive night of rioting, with public and private properties, including a gymnasium and several stores, being targeted by vandals and looters.

The widespread violence has forced local authorities to instate a curfew and close down educational institutions and the airport, with additional security personnel being dispatched from France to assist in restoring order. Over 130 arrests were made as police confronted heavily armed protestors, resulting in numerous injuries among the law enforcement officers. An elected official advocating for independence has made a heartfelt appeal for peace, urging parents to counsel their youth against engaging in violent activities. This episode marks a critical moment for New Caledonia as the territory grapples with the broader implications of its relationship with France and the quest for self-determination among its indigenous population.



Three killed in New Caledonia riots over voting reform

Adopted by a majority of French lawmakers, the bill allows French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections. Indigenous people on the island, many of whom favour independence from France, fear the bill will dilute their political power. The debate sparked the worst violence in 40 years on the French-ruled Pacific island. In a letter addressed to New Caledonian officials, Macron called for calm and said the constitutional reform would be adopted this summer at a special session of Congress unless loyalist and pro-independence parties could agree on a fresh text. I am inviting New Caledonia's political leaders to take France's outstretched hand and come to Paris for discussions in the coming weeks. The important thing is a return to calm. The important thing is dialogue. The important thing is to build a common political and global solution. Violence is neither justifiable nor tolerable. In the capital Nouméa, riots rage on for a second consecutive night. On Tuesday night, buildings like this gymnasium were vandalised and set alight, and stores like this one ransacked by looters. Cars, houses and shops have been torched, leading to food shortages in some neighbourhoods. Over 130 people were arrested as police clashed with heavily armed rioters. Scores of police officers have also been wounded. A pro-independence elected official appealed for calm. I call on parents to speak to their children and the youth and tell them that the struggle is not done in this way. The violence has prompted local authorities to impose a curfew and shut down schools and the airport as security reinforcements from metropolitan France are en route to New Caledonia to help restore order.

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