A major government established said Sunday that European forces smashed through about 60 barriers to clear the way from New Caledonia’s capital to the airport but have not yet reopened the road.
And after six times of violence that has left six dead and plenty injured, security forces will start “harassment” raids to recapture different parts of the Pacific province, the French state representative in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, said in a televised address.
” Republican order will be re- established whatever the cost”, Le Franc, the central government’s high commissioner, warned radicals behind the violence.
Since Monday, the Pacific archipelago of 270, 000 people has been roiled by unrest, which was sparked by French plans to impose new voting laws that would grant tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.
The region has long experienced ethnic tensions and Kanak groups ‘ opposition to French rule.
TOPSHOT – A security official looks on from an armoured vehicle in Noumea, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 18, 2024. After a fifth night of riots, looting, and unrest, hundreds of French security personnel attempted to restore order to the Pacific island territory of New Caledonia on May 18. ( Photo by Delphine Mayeur / AFP ) ( Photo by DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP via Getty Images )
Authorities reported that 600 heavily armed police officers participated in a Sunday retake of the 60-kilometer ( 40-mile ) main road from Noumea to the airport, which has been closed to commercial flights as a result of the unrest.
Around 3,200 people are reportedly stuck in New Caledonia or unable to travel there from abroad because flights have been canceled, according to the local government.
Sixth Death Recorded During Anti- Colonial Uprising in French Territory of New Caledoniahttps: //t. co/SEeNlnEZy7
— Breitbart London ( @BreitbartLondon ) May 18, 2024
Australia and New Zealand have been pressing France for permission to launch evacuation flights for their citizens.
Le Franc said about 60 roadblocks put up by pro- independence groups had been “broken through” without violence.
The official continued, noting that the route was full of car wrecks, burned wood, and metal that had only been cleared at 15 of the roadblocks. Le Franc claimed that there were also a number of places where the road was damaged.
A police officer interacts with a man as others queue to enter a supermarket in the Magenta district of Noumea, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 18, 2024. Anger over France’s plan to impose new voting rules has spiralled into the deadliest violence in four decades in the archipelago of 270, 000 people, which lies between Australia and Fiji — 17, 000 kilometres ( 10, 600 miles ) from Paris. ( Photo by Theo Rouby / AFP ) ( Photo by THEO ROUBY/AFP via Getty Images )
AFP reporters on the ground discovered that some separatist-era roadblocks had been re-established, despite eventually being able to reach the airport.
Le Franc said police units would launch “harassment operations” in coming hours to retake “hardcore” areas in Noumea and the towns of Dumbea and Paita.
” It is going to intensify in coming days” in zones held by independence activists, said Le Franc. ” If they want to use their arms, they will be risking the worst”.
” I want to tell the rioters: stop, return to calm, give up your arms”, added Le Franc, saying the crisis remained “unprecedented” and “grave”.
