France Declares State of Emergency in New Caledonia After Voting Change Unrest
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The Facts
Protests became violent in the Pacific region of New Caledonia Monday night after the French parliament granted French residents increased voting rights on the island. The clashes in the capital Noumea continued on Tuesday and have left at least two people dead and hundreds wounded.
Situated between Australia and Fiji, the island has been under French rule since the 1800s. Lawmakers in Paris voted to permit French nationals who have been living in New Caledonia for at least ten years to take part in provincial elections set off the unrest, which was the worst since the 1980s.Protests became violent in the Pacific region of New Caledonia Monday after the French parliament granted French residents voting rights on the islands. Clashes in the capital Noumea have left two dead and hundreds wounded.
The Spin
Many native Kanaks view the French parliament's decision on Monday to extend voting rights to French nationals in New Caledonia as a violation of the 1998 Noumea Accord, which granted the island increased political autonomy. This does not defend violent riots, but it does demonstrate deep-rooted anger with Paris because the decision will make the Kanaks a minority on their own island.
The deadly violence taking place in New Caledonia is unacceptable and has to stop. Paris has given security forces the power to quell the violence and restore republican order. The unrest is clearly an unfortunate overreaction. At the moment, Paris' top concern is the restoration of order. Once things have calmed down, Paris will actively encourage the independence movement to come to Paris for a resumption of dialogue and talks.
