NZ, Australian Foreign Ministers Express ‘Serious Concern’ Over New Caledonia Violence, Deaths

A photo shows burnt-out cars in the parking lot of the old hospital on the outskirts of Noumea, New Caledonia in the South Pacific on May 16, 2024. Delphine Mayeur /AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he is “gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia,” as violence, spurred on by a socialist-led independence movement, exploded this week.

The French government has indicated it will deploy troops to quell deadly rioting in New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea, triggered by the issuing of voting rights to immigrant French nationals that has stirred a pro-independence fervour amongst the Indigenous population.

The decision grants French residents, who have lived in the territory for 10 years, voting rights.

The French Parliament approved the move 351-153 earlier in the week, raising tensions within factions of the local Kanak people, who are pro-independence.

Four people, including two police officers, have been confirmed dead with cars and buildings torched, as well as an attack on a police station started on May 13 involving up to 5,000 rioters.

An attempt by inmates to break out of a Noumea prison was also reported.

Local authorities confirmed 130 people have been arrested, and more than 300 injured.

The unrest prompted President Emmanuel Macron to declare a 12-day state of emergency in Noumea and impose a night-time curfew and a ban on public gatherings.

Empty shelves are seen at a supermarket in Noumea on May 16, 2024, amid protests linked to a debate on a constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate for upcoming elections of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. Delphine Mayeur/AFP via Getty Images

Police have added reinforcements while airports have been secured.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told a crisis group meeting in Paris on May 14 that “soldiers have been deployed to secure ports and the airport in New Caledonia.”

In an attempt to suppress further violence by copy-cats, access to social media platform TikTok has also been restricted.

Roots Of the Pro-Independence Movement 

New Caledonia is located in the South Pacific and has been a French overseas territory since 1946 after annexing it in 1853.

Despite being run autonomously, the country receives subsidies from Paris and support on defence and education.

It has experienced sporadic periods of violence over the years related to its Indigenous Kanak population who make up around 40 percent of the island’s population.

The legacy of French colonialism, which marginalised the Kanak and favoured European settlers, continues to influence the territory’s social and political dynamics—in 1953, all New Caledonians, regardless of ethnicity, were granted full voting rights.

Economic disparities between different ethnic groups, as well as issues related to land rights and cultural identity also contribute to the perception of inequality.

The Kanak have long sought independence from France, and in 2018, following the terms of the Nouméa Accord—a 1998 agreement between France and New Caledonia (which formerly expired in 2022) —the territory’s main political parties agreed to hold an independence referendum.

The referendum, one of three since the signing, resulted in a majority vote against independence—albeit by a slim margin.

A further referendum was held during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, against the wishes of the FLNKS who argued it should have been delayed. This too resulted in a vote for the status quo, with Mr. Macron saying at the time, “Tonight, France is more beautiful because New Caledonia has decided to stay part of it.”

Plans for a Fourth Referendum are in the works, and Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has said France should honour the doctrine of the now-expired accord saying;

“There is a need for the French government to return to the spirit of the Noumea Accord in its dealings relating to New Caledonia. That spirit ensured respect and cooperation between all parties and ensured peace.”

Neighbouring Countries Concerned

Meanwhile, New Caledonia’s Pacific neighbours have expressed apprehension over the uprising.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Mr. Peters said, “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region. The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation so that there can be dialogue and calm.”

“No matter your views on the political arrangements in New Caledonia, everyone should agree that violence is harmful to every community there,” he added.

Mr. Peters implored New Zealanders to postpone travel plans to Noumea and said the embassy was assisting citizens who wanted to leave.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong also urged travellers to suspend plans due to “civil unrest, travel disruption, and limited essential services.”

Ms. Wong said Australia respects and supports the referendum process and hopes all parties can “work together cooperatively to shape the future of New Caledonia.”

Residents gather at a temporary barricade, set up by them with the aim of keeping watch over their neighbourhood in a peaceful manner, along a road in the Magenta district of Noumea, New Caledonia on May 16, 2024. Theo Rouby/AFP via Getty Images

Support For the Socialist Movement From Vanuatu 

Complicating France’s attempts to stamp out opposition was a statement on May 16, issued by Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.

He expressed his support for the Kanak pro-independence movement, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste or FLNKS), saying:

“There’s an urgent need now for France to agree to the proposal by the FLNKS to establish a dialogue and mediation mission to be led by a mutually agreed high personality, to discuss a way forward so that normalcy can be restored quickly and an enduring peace can prevail.

“These events could have been avoided if the French government had listened,” he claimed.