French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in New Caledonia in the hopes of bringing calm to the Pacific island territory.
New Caledonia has been besieged by violent riots in the past week after the French government elected to amend voting rights in the region, extending them to French nationals who’ve lived in New Caledonia for 10 years or more.
The indigenous Kanak population, which makes up 40 percent of the archipelago, is concerned about potential for a weakened presence in elections.
Socialist-led separatists, known as the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste, have called on the voting reform to be revoked or put on hold.
Nationalist rioters have caused massive damage and calamity, including starting fires, looting from shops and violence that has left six people dead and more injured.
Posting to social media platform X, Mr. Macron spoke about restoring order in the region.
“I come alongside the people of New Caledonia for a return to calm, to normal life, to peace and security,” he said.
The president is set to conduct talks with local officials in the hopes of restoring order.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Wednesday night that 187 Australians and their family members had now returned from New Caledonia.
The Australian and French governments have been working together to organise flights out of the region on Thursday and Friday.
French officials now say operational demands mean no new flights can set off for Australia on Thursday.
Australians still looking to leave New Caledonia have been told by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade further delays were likely for evacuation flights, AAP reported.
A group of 103 travellers were flown to Brisbane on Wednesday, while 84 Australians and 24 other nationals were flown in on Tuesday.
There are about 500 Australians in New Caledonia and about 300 had registered their interest with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in coming home.
On Tuesday, Ms. Wong joined with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and French counterpart Stephane Sejourne to convey condolences, express gratitude for French efforts to restore calm, and reiterate Australia’s request for support.
French authorities recently stepped up security in New Caledonia, banning gatherings, the transport of weapons and the sale of alcohol.
Residents are still expected to adhere to a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew until the emergency situation is no longer declared.
A total of 75 shops were able to reopen recently, as 90 road blocks were cleared.
