New Caledonia

2024 - 5 - 15

French Territory New Caledonia in Turmoil: Curfew and Protests Escalate

Curfew - France - Indigenous Rights - New Caledonia - Protests - Violence

Violent unrest in New Caledonia leads to curfew and ban on gatherings. French authorities face protests and seek resolution amidst tensions.

The French Pacific territory of New Caledonia is in turmoil as violent unrest rocks the capital city of Noumea. Authorities have imposed an overnight curfew and banned gatherings in response to escalating protests. The indigenous Kanak people, who have long sought independence, are at the center of the unrest, opposing voting reforms proposed by French lawmakers. The situation has led to shots being fired at security forces, heightening tensions in the region.

France has taken steps to address the crisis by sending additional police forces to quell the riots on the Pacific island. At the same time, the French government is open to initiating talks for a potential negotiated settlement to calm the situation. The decision to implement a curfew and ban public gatherings reflects the severity of the protests and the need for immediate action to restore order.

The unrest in New Caledonia was sparked by a plan to allow more French citizens to vote in the territory, a move strongly opposed by independence activists who fear it would dilute their movement. The debates in Paris regarding voting reforms have fueled discontent among the Kanak people, leading to widespread demonstrations and calls for change.

In the midst of the chaos, New Caledonia faces a critical juncture as authorities grapple with maintaining security while addressing the underlying issues driving the protests. The turmoil highlights the complex relationship between the French government and the indigenous population, underscoring the challenges of governance in the region.

Amidst the unrest, it is crucial for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue to find a peaceful resolution. The events in New Caledonia serve as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the rights and aspirations of indigenous communities in the pursuit of social and political reforms.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Unrest wracks French Pacific territory of New Caledonia (Aljazeera.com)

Authorities impose an overnight curfew and ban gatherings after violent unrest in the capital, Noumea.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Diplomat"

France Imposes Curfew in New Caledonia After Protests Turn Violent (The Diplomat)

The unrest started as French lawmakers debated voting reforms opposed by the indigenous Kanak people, who have long sought independence.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "JURIST"

New Caledonia imposes curfew and public gatherings ban amid ... (JURIST)

Authorities in New Caledonia decided to ban public gatherings and impose a curfew in the capital city of Nouméa following violent protests against a law ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

France sends more police, seeks talks, to quell New Caledonia riots (Reuters)

France sent extra police squadrons to quell riots on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Tuesday but also opened the door to a negotiated settlement with ...

Curfew is imposed in New Caledonia after unrest wracks the French ... (Peninsula Warrior)

Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have announced a two-day curfew and banned gatherings after violent unrest erupted in the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Jakarta Post"

'Shots fired' at security forces in New Caledonia riots - Asia & Pacific ... (Jakarta Post)

"Shots were fired at the gendarmes using high calibre weapons and hunting rifles. There have been no deaths," High Commissioner of the Republic Louis Le Franc ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Curfew Imposed in New Caledonia Following Protests Over ... (The New York Times)

The unrest was set off by a plan to let more French citizens vote in the territory, which independence activists say would water down their movement.

Curfew imposed in New Caledonia after unrest wracks French territory (TRT World)

The unrest started with protests against voting reforms that French lawmakers are debating in Paris which would increase the number of people who could cast ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Dozens arrested in New Caledonia constitutional reform unrest (FRANCE 24)

More than 130 people have been arrested in New Caledonia as violent protests rock the French Pacific archipelago, the government said Wednesday, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

New Caledonia protests: Macron urges calm as 130 arrested amid ... (The Guardian)

Unrest flares as lawmakers in France support increasing the number of French nationals eligible to cast ballots in the territory's elections.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

France backs controversial New Caledonia vote changes amid ... (Aljazeera.com)

Plan to expand electoral roll gets go-ahead as New Caledonia rocked by worst unrest in more than 30 years.

Overnight curfew in place across New Caledonia as of May 15 amid ... (Crisis24)

Overnight curfew in place across New Caledonia as of May 15 amid violent pro-independence protests. Flight, business disruptions reported.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

New Caledonia riots rage on after Paris approves voting change (Reuters)

Gunshots could be heard and schools remained shut in New Caledonia's capital Noumea on Wednesday morning after a night of rioting despite a curfew, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Deccan Herald"

New Caledonia riots rage on after France approves voting change (Deccan Herald)

Lawmakers in Paris voted 351 to 153 in favour of the bill to allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

New Caledonia: One dead as riots escalate after French vote (BBC News)

The riots come in response to the French parliament giving French residents there more voting rights.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Violence in French Pacific territory of New Caledonia turns deadly (Voice of America)

A municipal police officer keeps watch near a traffic circle in Noumea, New Caledonia, on May 15, 2024, amid protests linked to a debate on a constitutional ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Why are there riots in New Caledonia against France's voting reform? (Reuters)

Deadly violence has erupted in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific, after lawmakers in Paris approved a constitutional amendment ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Why this French island in the Pacific is being roiled by violence over ... (CNN)

Deadly violence in the French island of New Caledonia erupted for a third day Wednesday, with armed clashes between protesters, militias and police, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Kyodo News Plus"

3 die in New Caledonia riots as France debates voting reforms: report (Kyodo News Plus)

Three people have been killed and hundreds more injured in riots that have rocked New Caledonia since earlier this week, local media reported Wednesday, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

France pushes New Caledonia voting reform despite deadly riots (Financial Times)

President Emmanuel Macron wants to revisit 1998 accord that brought stability to strategic south Pacific territory.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Ethnic tensions in Pacific island of New Caledonia erupts over ... (The Washington Post)

French authorities say four people including a police officer were killed and hundreds injured in riots against a change in voting rules in the French ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia as protests ... (Voice of America)

French lawmakers' bid to expand voting rights for French residents on the Pacific archipelago sparks the worst unrest in decades.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

French imposes state of emergency, bans TikTok in riot-hit New ... (FRANCE 24)

France on Wednesday said it was imposing a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia for at least 12 days, boosting police ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NPR"

France imposes a state of emergency in New Caledonia as unrest ... (NPR)

People in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia are protesting a reform that would give voting rights to an increasing number of non-Indigenous ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

State of emergency takes effect in New Caledonia after four killed in ... (Aljazeera.com)

France has declared a state of emergency in its Pacific island territory of New Caledonia and deployed police and military reinforcements in an attempt to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "benarnews"

New Caledonia 'state of emergency' after fatal third night of riots (benarnews)

France's High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said four people have died in the rioting centered on the capital Noumea - three Kanak independence supporters and a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Hundreds of French police deployed amid New Caledonia riots (The Guardian)

State of emergency in place because of deadly unrest over bill that will let French people vote in provincial elections after 10 years of residence.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the ... (The Conversation AU)

At one level, the crisis is political, reflecting contention over a constitutional vote taken in Paris that will expand citizens' voting rights. The change adds ...

Explore the last week