2024 New Caledonia unrest

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2024 New Caledonia unrest
Date 13 May 2024 – present
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Location
New Caledonia
Caused by
Methods Protests, riots, arson, looting
Status Ongoing
Parties to the civil conflict

 France

Counter-protesters
Lead figures
Units involved
Number
~9,000 New Caledonian protesters
1,700 military personnel[2]
Casualties and losses
Casualties
Death(s) 6
Injuries 300+
Arrested 200+

In May 2024, protests broke out in New Caledonia, a sui generis collectivity of overseas France in the Pacific Ocean.[3] The violent protests have led to 6 deaths and the declaration of a state of emergency.[4][5][6]

Violence broke out following a controversial voting reform aiming to ease existing restrictions which prevent up to one fifth of the population from voting in provincial elections.[7] Following the Nouméa Accord, the electorate for local elections was restricted to pre-1998 residents of the islands and their descendants who have maintained continuous residence on the territory for at least 10 years. The system, which excludes migrants from European and Polynesian parts of France, including their adult children, had been judged acceptable in 2005 as part of a decolonization process by the European Court of Human Rights given that it was a provisional measure.[8] Following the votes against independence in the 2018, 2020 and 2021 referendums, the system was considered obsolete as the process of the Nouméa Accord had ended. Change to a rolling 10-year residency requirement was rejected by independence advocates who consider the 2021 referendum illegitimate due to their boycott and, as a result, consider the process defined by the Nouméa Accord to be still ongoing.

The French government wants to allow people who have resided in the territory for over 10 years to vote in local elections.[9] The reform allowing more people of European and Polynesian descent to vote has been decried as a dilution of the indigenous Melanesian Kanak people's political voice.[10]

Context

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New Caledonia location

New Caledonia is a French overseas territory in the southwest Pacific. It has a population of about 270,000; with the indigenous Kanak people constituting 44% of the population, the predominantly French Caldoche constituting 34%, and other ethnic minorities (including Wallisians and Tahitians) constituting the remainder. New Caledonia became a French overseas territory in 1946 and has representatives in both houses of the French Parliament, while the President of France serves as the territory's head of state. France maintains jurisdiction over New Caledonia's defence and internal security.[11]

In 1988, following widespread political violence between caldoches and indigenous Kanaks,[12] the Matignon Agreements were signed,[13] establishing a transition to its current large autonomy as a sui generis collectivity within the French state. This was followed in 1998 by the Nouméa Accord. As part of the Accord, New Caledonia was allowed to hold three referendums to decide on the future status of the territory, with voting rights restricted to indigenous Kanak and other inhabitants living in New Caledonia before 1998.[11]

"Frozen" electorate

As part of the Nouméa Accord of 1998, the population of New Caledonia continued to vote in national elections—for the French president and National Assembly—but the number of people who can vote in provincial elections and independence referendums was restricted. This so-called "frozen electorate" consists only of those who were already living in New Caledonia in 1998 as well as their children, provided they maintained uninterrupted residence for ten years prior to each election. This deprived later immigrants, whether European or Polynesian, of voting rights. The number of excluded voters increased from 8,000 in 1999 to 18,000 in 2009 and to 42,000 in 2023, by which time almost one national voter out of five was excluded from participating in provincial elections (of 220,000 national voters only 178,000 were eligible).[9][14]

Following a ruling by the French Constitutional Council in 1999 which limited the restriction to a ten-year residency requirement—a so-called "rolling electorate"—French president Jacques Chirac promised to have the French constitution amended on the request of independence groups in 2003. His parliamentary majority voted for the revision in 2007, thereby reverting to the "frozen electorate" rule,[9][15] which the European Court of Human Rights had ruled in 2005 was not a human rights violation on the grounds that it was part of a decolonization process, and on the condition that it was only a provisional measure.[8]

Situation after independence referendums

New Caledonia then had three consecutive independence referendums (in 2018, 2020 and 2021), all of which voted to remain a part of France, although the 2021 referendum was boycotted by most supporters of independence. The system was considered obsolete as the process of the Nouméa Accord had ended.[16] The post-referendum transition left a need for revision of the transitional rules of the Nouméa Accord, which also required changes to the French constitution.[9][14][11]

Advocates for independence boycotted the third referendum and then refused to recognize its result, leading to institutional deadlock. Local talks ground to a halt and the next provincial election was rescheduled for 15 December 2024. On 26 December 2023, the Conseil d'État concluded that the current rules did not ensure universal suffrage, as they denied the vote to people either born or residing in New Caledonia for several decades.[9][14][11]

At the beginning of 2024, the French government began a revision of the constitution which would "unfreeze" the electorate by keeping only a rolling ten-year residency requirement. Up to 25,841 people of the 42,000 excluded from the electorate would gain voting rights : 12,441 who were born and grew up in New Caledonia would gain the right automatically and up to 13,400 with ten years of continuous residence on the island could request it.[17][18] A total of 16,000 citizens would remain excluded from participating in the provincial election.[18] It included a clause that would prevent it from being implemented if a local deal between pro- and anti-independence groups was made at least ten days before the election.[14][19][20]

A bipartisan group sent by the National Assembly to consult political, religious and tribal leaders concluded that "unfreezing" the electorate was a "legal and democratic necessity". It advised against doing so immediately due to the chaotic political situation. In its report released mid-March, it noted in particular the pessimist mood prevalent on the island because of the chaotic political situation and permanent uncertainty about its future, which had led to the emigration of New Caledonians, often those excluded from the electorate, but also of educated Kanaks. This demographic trend mentioned in the report contrasts with the pro-independence claims of an ongoing demographic replacement via "massive immigration". The report caused controversy by relaying the opinion of several independence advocates, including Roch Wamytan, president of the Congress of New Caledonia, who asked whether Emmanuel Macron was considering "recolonizing" New Caledonia and who further said that the "threshold of tolerance for whites" had been reached. Members of the pro-independence Caledonian Union also said that "If you make a change of the electorate, it will be war. Our youth is ready to go for it. If we have to sacrifice a thousand, we will do so".[21][22]

On 2 April 2024, the French Senate, the French Parliament's upper house, voted to endorse constitutional amendments tabled by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to extend suffrage to those who had been residing in New Caledonia for an uninterrupted 10 years.[11] On 15 April, groups of supporters and opponents staged competing marches in Nouméa in response to the proposed French constitutional amendment. The pro-independence march was organized by a field action coordination committee close to Union Calédonienne (UC), which is part of the FLNKS umbrella. The pro-French march was organized by the two pro-French parties Le Rassemblement and Les Loyalistes (fr). The French High Commission estimated that a total of 40,000 people (15% of the population) attended the marches. Pro-independence organisers claimed 58,000 attended their rally and pro-French organizers claimed 35,000 attended theirs.[23]

On 15 May, the National Assembly, the French Parliament's lower house, voted in favor of the constitutional amendments by a margin of 351 to 153 votes. While right-wing parties supported "unfreezing" the list of voters, left-wing parties voted against the amendments. After passing both houses, the constitutional amendments still need to be approved by a two third majority of the Congress of the French Parliament (a joint session of both the National Assembly and Senate).[11]

Response to the bill

Local leaders said that giving "foreigners" the right to vote would dilute the vote of indigenous Kanak people and increase the vote share for pro-France politicians.[24][25]

Socio-economic factors

The economy and unemployment were reportedly factors in the unrest due to the local nickel mining economy having experienced a downturn.[26][27]

Unrest

Supermarkets and car dealerships were looted and vehicles and businesses were burned.[28][29] Areas affected include Nouméa and the neighbouring towns of Dumbéa and Le Mont-Dore.[30] Authorities imposed a curfew and public gatherings were banned for two days.[31][32] The French Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin announced that police reinforcements were being sent to the island.[33] Thirty-six protesters were arrested.[34]

Clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of independence.[35] Three Kanak protestors were killed during a drive-by shooting committed by someone whose car was stopped at a barricade, while a gendarme was killed in an ambush.[36][37]

On 15 May, Prime Minister of France Gabriel Attal deployed the army to protect ports and airports, and issued a ban on TikTok in response,[38] which French authorities said had previously been used to organize riots.[5][39] On 16 May, Macron declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia.[5][6] By 17 May, the number of French police and gendarmes in New Caledonia had risen from 1,700 to 2,700. French forces were also deployed to supply food and medicine to the public while teams of mine clearing specialists were deployed to remove barricades that may have been booby trapped by activists.[40]

According to Australian peace and conflict studies professor Nicole George and University of Pau and the Adour Region sociologist Évelyne Barthou, Kanaky youth played a major role in leading the protests and violence. George said that the protests were rooted in "the highly visible wealth disparities" in the territory which “fuel resentment and the profound racial inequalities that deprive Kanak youths of opportunity and contribute to their alienation." Similarly Barthou said that many Kanaky young people resented having to competed for limited opportunities with migrants from mainland France. Retired Auckland University of Technology professor of journalist David Robie has likened the youth-led protests to the Generation Z–led 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the United States and Europe as well as Palestinian youth journalists during the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.[27]

Casualties

Between 13 and 18 May, six people were killed, including two gendarmes. Another 64 police officers were injured.[4][41] Five independence activists accused of violence were placed under house arrest.[42] On 15 May, a gendarme was seriously injured in Plum and died later in the same day. On 16 May, the death of another French gendarme in New Caledonia from accidental gunshot wounds was announced by Gérald Darmanin in a message to Agence France-Presse.[43] On 18 May, a Caldoche man was shot dead in a gunfight in Kaala-Gomen, after being denied passage with his son at a roadblock monitored by Kanak protesters. Two Kanak protesters were injured.[44]

Impact

The looting and destruction cost more than 200 million euros in damage. More than 150 firms were destroyed and about 1,750 jobs were lost.[45][46] La Tontouta International Airport was closed for commercial flights.[42] According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, 80 to 90% of the grocery distribution network has been taken out.[42][27] The Nouméa buses' network was suspended from 14 May and until further notice, citing "security reasons".[47]

The Olympic Torch Relay for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was to pass New Caledonia on 11 June, will not pass the territory, as announced on 17 May.[48]

Responses

New Caledonia

In response to the unrest, pro-independence President of the Government of New Caledonia Louis Mapou called for a "return to reason". Meanwhile, the FLNKS called for "calm, peace, stability and reason", the lifting of blockades and the withdrawal of the controversial French constitutional amendments.[11][49] He also appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron to prioritise a comprehensive agreement between "all political leaders of New Caledonia, to pave the way for the archipelago's long-term political future".[49]

A group affiliated with the National Union for Independence (UNI) also stated they were "moved by and deplored the exactions and violence taking place". North Province provincial assembly UNI member Patricia Goa said it was "necessary to preserve all that we have built together for over thirty years and that the priority was to preserve peace, social cohesion".[49]

Jacques Lalié (fr), the anti-independence President of the Loyalty Islands Province, said absolute priority must be given to dialogue and the search for intelligence to reach a consensus. Louis Le Franc (fr), the French High Commissioner to New Caledonia, told the media he would use military force "if necessary" and that reinforcements from metropolitan France would arrive on 16 May.[11]

Metropolitan France

On 16 May, Emmanuel Macron indicated that he would delay convening the upcoming Congress of the French Parliament until at least June 2024 "to give a chance for dialogue and consensus". He also extended an invitation to New Caledonian political leaders to attend a meeting in Paris to cover various including the constitutional amendments around franchise extension and the current economic crisis in the nickel industry sector. The Paris meeting is scheduled to take place in late May 2024 under the supervision of French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.[11]

International

Governments

  •  Azerbaijan: On 16 May, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Azerbaijan of interfering in the unrest on France 2, saying that the involvement of Azerbaijan was "not fantasy", referring to a previous claim the country was stirring troubles in New Caledonia in retaliation for French military aid to Armenia. He then accused independence advocates of having made a deal with Baku.[50] Azerbaijan denied Darmanin's accusations.[51] In July 2023, Azerbaijan had invited separatists from the French overseas territories of Martinique, French Guiana, New Caledonia and French Polynesia for a conference in Baku, which saw the creation of a "Baku Initiative Group" whose stated aim is to support "French liberation and anti-colonial movements."[40]
  •  Australia: On 16 May, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for calm, upgraded its travel advice for New Caledonia and urged Australian travellers in the territory to "exercise a high degree of caution." Similar sentiments were echoed by Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham.[6] On 18 May, Wong confirmed that Australia was working with French, New Caledonian and New Zealand authorities to evacuate Australians stranded in the territory. An estimated 3,200 tourists and other travellers including Australians remain stranded in New Caledonia.[52]
  •  New Zealand: On 14 May, Foreign Minister Winston Peters cancelled plans to visit New Caledonia in response to the unrest. National carrier Air New Zealand also stated it was monitoring the situation in the territory ahead of its next flight to Nouméa at 8.25am on 18 May.[53] Following the closure of La Tontouta International Airport, the airline cancelled its flights to Nouméa scheduled for 18 and 20 May.[54] The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that 219 New Zealanders were registered with Safe Travel in New Caledonia. Peters confirmed that the Government was exploring ways of evacuating New Zealanders including deploying the Royal New Zealand Air Force. While the New Zealand Consulate General remained open, staff were working remotely due to safety concerns.[55]
  •  Vanuatu: On 17 May Charlot Salwai, Vanuatan Prime Minister and Chairman of the intergovernmental organization Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), reaffirmed the MSG's support for the FLNKS's opposition to France's constitutional bill "unfreezing" New Caledonia's electoral roll. It also opposed proposed changes to the citizens' electorate and the distribution of seats in New Caledonia's Congress. Salwai endorsed the FLNKS's call for calm and condemnation of violence. He also warned that the indiscriminate destruction of property would adversely affect New Caledonia's economy and the "welfare and lives of all New Caledonians, including the Kanaks." Salwai also called for France to accept an FLNKS proposal to establish a "dialogue and mediation mission" to discuss how peace and normalcy could be restored to the territory.[56]

Non-state organisations

See also

References

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  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ https://blog.juspoliticum.com/2022/01/03/3eme-referendum-en-nouvelle-caledonie-laccord-de-noumea-est%E2%80%91il-vraiment-caduc-par-lea-havard/
  17. ↑ Dégel du corps électoral calédonien : 12 clés pour comprendre le projet de loi constitutionnelle
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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