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New Caledonia Protests Escalate Following Activist Detentions by France

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Protests erupted in New Caledonia following the detention and transfer of seven pro-independence activists to France. These activists were accused of orchestrating riots against a controversial voting reform bill. The unrest led to arson attacks on several buildings, including a town hall and police station across the territory.

Christian Tein, a prominent pro-independence leader among those detained, faced charges related to riots that resulted in fatalities. The violence stemmed from proposed reforms aimed at extending voting rights to long-term residents of New Caledonia, a move perceived by many Kanaks as potentially diluting their political influence.

French President Emmanuel Macron intervened by suspending the reforms to restore order after widespread disruptions, including roadblocks and the temporary closure of the international airport in Nouméa. The situation remains tense, with schools closed and efforts underway to calm the unrest and ensure safety for residents.

Criticism has been directed at France for what some perceive as colonial-era tactics in handling the activists, intensifying tensions in the French territory in the South Pacific.

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Protester killed by policeman in New Caledonia

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In France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, a French policeman has killed a protester, marking the seventh death in a week of violence ignited by contentious voting reforms. Prosecutor Yves Dupas in Nouméa, the capital, stated that the officer, currently in custody, fired his weapon after coming under attack from demonstrators on Friday. The deceased was a 48-year-old man. This incident follows a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced efforts to reach a new political agreement on the reforms.

The protests, led by the indigenous Kanak community who constitute 40% of the population, were sparked by planned voting reforms. Currently, only indigenous Kanaks and those who arrived from France before 1998 can vote. The proposed changes would allow more French residents, including those who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years, to vote. The Kanaks fear this could dilute their political power and hinder future independence referendums.

A manslaughter inquiry has been initiated, a standard procedure in France when a police officer kills someone. According to Dupas, the officer fired a shot from his service weapon during a physical altercation, with initial findings indicating the officers had facial injuries.

President Macron, during his one-day visit on Thursday, paused the reform but did not completely withdraw it, as demanded by pro-independence groups. He expressed a desire to reach a comprehensive political agreement on the territory’s future. In response to the unrest, thousands of additional police forces have been deployed to restore order.

Economic disparities are significant in New Caledonia, with the poverty rate among the indigenous Kanaks at 32.5%, compared to 9% among non-Kanaks, as per the 2019 census. France colonized New Caledonia in 1853 and made it an overseas territory in 1946, granting political rights to Kanaks under the 1998 Nouméa Accord. This accord also limited voting in provincial and assembly elections to pre-1998 residents. Since then, over 40,000 French nationals have moved to the territory.

Three independence referendums held between 2018 and 2021 showed narrow majorities for remaining part of France, with the third being boycotted by pro-independence groups due to the Covid pandemic. The recent violence has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, leading Macron to state that the state of emergency would be lifted once protesters’ barricades were dismantled. He described the unrest as an “unprecedented insurrection movement.”

Currently, Nouméa airport is closed to commercial flights, with military flights evacuating around 300 Australian and 50 New Zealand tourists who reported arson, looting, and food shortages.

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French detention for alleged involvement in the Olympic torch relay

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A man has been apprehended on suspicion of plotting an attack on the Olympic torch relay in Bordeaux, as announced by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. While details remain limited, Darmanin commended the police for ensuring security during Thursday’s relay event.

Authorities disclosed that the suspect had written a troubling message that potentially glorified criminal acts, including a reference to a past mass shooting in the US. The Olympic flame, having recently arrived in Marseille, is en route to Paris for the Games scheduled to commence on July 26th. Paris 2024 organizers have underscored an extensive security operation, notably for the opening ceremony involving over 10,000 athletes transported along the River Seine.

Upon detecting an online message referencing a decade-old mass killing in Isla Vista, California, an investigation was launched by Bordeaux prosecutor Frédérique Porterie. The post connected to the suspect’s profile alluded to Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator of the Isla Vista attack, who harbored animosity towards women and became a figure of inspiration for some online communities, notably those identifying as “involuntarily celibate” or incels.

The suspect, identified as Alex G, was subsequently arrested, with authorities finding a rubber pellet revolver, multiple mobile phones, and a computer during a search of his residence. Although he lacked a criminal record, initial inquiries revealed his interest in the Incel movement. While in custody, he admitted to contemplating an unspecified act, without mentioning targeting the Olympic flame relay. Described as psychologically fragile, the suspect’s intentions appeared undefined.

The Olympic flame embarks on a lengthy journey spanning 12,000km (7,500 miles) across mainland France and its overseas territories. Given security concerns, anti-drone experts are collaborating with law enforcement to monitor its progress. However, recent unrest in New Caledonia has led organizers to cancel the flame’s scheduled visit to the Pacific territory.

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Two killed in New Caledonia as riots escalate after Paris vote

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New Caledonia, a Pacific territory under French governance since the 19th century, is currently gripped by violent unrest stemming from the French parliament’s decision to expand voting rights for French residents there. This move, allowing long-term French citizens in New Caledonia to participate in provincial elections, has sparked outrage among many locals who perceive it as marginalizing the indigenous Kanak people and undermining their political representation.

The escalation of protests into riots has resulted in fatalities, numerous injuries, and widespread property damage, marking the most severe unrest the territory has experienced since the 1980s. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron canceled a planned trip and convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis. The situation prompted authorities to impose a curfew and ban public gatherings in an attempt to restore order.

Despite efforts to quell the violence, tensions remain high, with continued clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The unrest has led to a significant number of arrests and calls from both local and national leaders for calm and de-escalation. The situation underscores the complex political dynamics in New Caledonia, where issues of autonomy, indigenous rights, and French governance intersect, fueling longstanding grievances and tensions within the community.

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