In a move to encourage political speech following the upheaval that left seven people dying and a path of death, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
The president’s office said in a statement that the state of emergency won´t be extended” for the time” and will therefore stop Monday at 8 p. m. in Paris, which is 5 a. m. Tuesday in New Caledonia.
The choice aims to “allow meetings of the different parts” of the pro-independence action FLNKS, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, and to allow elected officials and various local officials to” call” for lifting the barriers to go there and meet with protesters, according to the statement.
High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, New Caledonia’s major French official, announced on Monday that a curfew will be in place immediately and in the night. Vacation may be banned between 6 p. m. and 6 a. m. nearby day except for civil workers, medical specialists and other important personnel on night shifts and health crises.
New Caledonia’s ban on public gatherings, transport and carrying of weapons and sale of alcohol will also remain in place, Le Franc said.
The main international airport, La Tontouta, will remain closed to commercial traffic until Sunday, June 2, according to a statement from the archipelago’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Macron government’s efforts to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists in New Caledonia sparked violent protests that led to the closure of the Tontouta airport.
The Magenta regional airport, which is situated close to the capital Nouméa, has been operational for the past few days as the hub for military aircraft headed for France, Australia, and New Zealand’s evacuation of French residents and foreign visitors trapped on the troubled archipelago.
French President Emmanuel Macron ( C ) visits the central police station in Noumea, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia on May 23, 2024. On May 23, France’s president made a long-distance trip to the restive Pacific territory of New Caledonia, pleading for a “return to peace” after deadly riots and promising thousands of military reinforcements will be stationed” as long as necessary.” ( Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP ) ( Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images )
Macron repeatedly pushed for the removal of protesters ‘ barricades with leaders on both sides of New Caledonia’s bitter divide – Indigenous Kanaks, who want independence, and the pro- Paris leaders, who do not.
In the statement, Macron insisted it is” the necessary condition for the opening of concrete and serious negotiations”.
More than 3,500 security personnel are expected to arrive on the archipelago “in the next few hours,” according to the statement, which stated 480 additional gendarmes.
Macron’s move comes after he travelled Thursday to New Caledonia.
At least three members of the Indigenous Kanak community and two gendarmes were among the seven people killed in the shootings. According to the French Interior Ministry, one of the gendarmes was killed when a weapon accidentally discharged.
Since the protests turned violent on May 14, more than 122 police officers and gendarmes have been arrested, according to Le Franc, the high commissioner. Le Franc did not list the number of injured civilians.
Bystanders hold a flag of the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front ( FLNKS) on a roadblock in Ducos, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 21, 2024. Since May 13, when violence broke out over French plans to impose new voting laws that would grant tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights, the Pacific territory of 270, 000 people has been in turmoil.  , ( Photo by Delphine Mayeur / AFP ) ( Photo by DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP via Getty Images )
Paris had ordered a minimum of 12 days of state of emergency on May 15 to strengthen police capabilities. Authorities have more authority to deal with the unrest, including the possibility of placing people in homes under house arrest if they are deemed to be in breach of the law and having more authority to conduct searches, seize weapons, and impose restrictions on movement as a result of the emergency measures.
The leader of a pro-independence party in New Caledonia on Saturday urged supporters to “main mobilize” and “maintain resistance” against the Paris government’s attempts to implement electoral reforms that the Indigenous Kanak people fear would further marginalize them.
In a video message posted on social media, Christian Tein, the party’s leader, addressed supporters and protesters.
If France wants to “end the crisis,” the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front demanded in a separate statement that Macron veto the electoral reform bill.
New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleon’s nephew and heir. After World War II, all Kanaks received French citizenship in 1957, making it an overseas territory.
Sixth Death Recorded During Anti- Colonial Uprising in French Territory of New Caledoniahttps: //t. co/SEeNlnEZy7
— Breitbart London ( @BreitbartLondon ) May 18, 2024
