French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he was postponing the bill to sit down with New Caledonian independence supporters and ease tensions on the island.
New Caledonia, an autonomous region of France in the Indo-Pacific, has been shaken by demands for independence. Since May 13, when the protests could not be brought under control, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to the island, where a state of emergency was declared to ease tensions in the region. Macron was accompanied by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. As soon as he landed, Macron conveyed the message that tensions must be reduced.
Meeting with local officials and representatives of pro-independence parties in the capital Noumea, Macron spoke about the controversial constitutional reform bill that gives voting rights to French people who have lived on the island for 10 years. He said that they will work for the approval of the bill but it depends on the situation on the island and announced that the reform has been postponed for a few weeks.
Macron stated three conditions to ensure calm on the island: “No forced adoption of the bill, the removal of roadblocks and the end of the state of emergency.” He stated that the security forces will remain as long as necessary and that new operations are planned.
Defending that the state of emergency should not be extended, Macron emphasized that this decision depends on the removal of the roadblocks. Macron said, “Dialogue is necessary. But the state of emergency can only end when the leaders remove the roadblocks.”
Kanaks, the indigenous people of New Caledonia, have long been fighting for full independence.
Macron’s visit is described as a ‘mise-en-scène’ by residents. Arguing that a new understanding of sovereignty is needed for calm and peace, the Kanaks are calling on the Macron administration to withdraw the draft constitutional reform bill. Six people have been killed and more than 280 arrested since the unrest began.
