What's happening in New Caledonia? Why is there rioting?
7 months ago

What's happening in New Caledonia? Why is there rioting?

ABC  

The federal government has sent two military planes to New Caledonia to evacuate Australian tourists stranded in French territory. But France's President Emmanuel Macron isn't the president of the territory — he's head of state and is represented in New Caledonia by a high commissioner. New Caledonia was annexed by France in 1853 and officially became a French overseas territory in 1946. Why is New Caledonia still a French territory?

France French Vote Territory Caledonia Kanak Noumea New Caledonia  happening  french  whats  rioting  territory  vote  president  result  macron  voter  territorythe  turnout  caledonia

History of this topic

France has a new government. Can it solve the New Caledonia crisis after months of deadly unrest?
3 months ago

France has a new government. Can it solve the New Caledonia crisis after months of deadly unrest?

LA Times  

After four months of deadly unrest in New Caledonia, tensions in the French Pacific territory between the pro-independence Indigenous Kanak people and the white settler communities loyal to Paris are simmering as the vast archipelago east of Australia marks the anniversary of colonization on Tuesday. World & Nation France imposes curfew in New Caledonia to quell independence-driven unrest Decades of …

Urgent travel warning to Aussies about New Caledonia
3 months ago

Urgent travel warning to Aussies about New Caledonia

Daily Mail  

Tensions there could turn violent on 'little notice' Aussies warned not to travel New Caledonia Aussies planning a South Pacific holiday in New Caledonia have been advised to reconsider due to ongoing tensions and crime on the island nation. The department urged Aussies currently in New Caledonia to avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, and to follow the advice of local …

Riot-stricken New Caledonia is empty of travellers. Businesses hope it can regain its place as a Pacific tourism jewel
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Riot-stricken New Caledonia is empty of travellers. Businesses hope it can regain its place as a Pacific tourism jewel

ABC  

Nestled between banana trees and palms on the outskirts of New Caledonia's capital, Anne Fonua's guesthouse and two tour buses sit empty. "We need to stay positive," said Gateaway Shore Tours guide Alfred Nauka, whose weeks are usually filled showing Australians and other tourists around New Caledonia. New Caledonia's business and tourism groups say 41,000 bookings have been cancelled, and …

Unrest erupts again in New Caledonia after activists sent to France
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Unrest erupts again in New Caledonia after activists sent to France

Al Jazeera  

Protests have flared up in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia with several buildings set on fire, including a police station and a town hall, after pro-independence activists were arrested and taken to France. In mid-May, rioting and looting erupted in New Caledonia over an electoral reform plan that Indigenous Kanak people feared would leave them in a permanent …

New Caledonia independence group demands Indigenous leader’s release from custody in mainland France
5 months, 4 weeks ago

New Caledonia independence group demands Indigenous leader’s release from custody in mainland France

Associated Press  

NICE, France — Members of a pro-independence movement in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia demanded on Monday the “release and immediate return” of the Indigenous Kanak leader who was flown to mainland France for pretrial detention after recent deadly unrest. After the meeting, the Kanak leader appealed to protesters to “maintain all of resistance” to achieve the main …

Violence returns to New Caledonia after activists sent to France
6 months ago

Violence returns to New Caledonia after activists sent to France

Al Jazeera  

Extradition of protest leaders to France sees police vehicles burned and roads blocked in Pacific territory. Protesters in the French Pacific territory burned police vehicles and blocked roads overnight on Sunday after activist Christian Tein and six others were taken to France in pre-trial detention in connection with the recent violence in which nine people, including two police officers, were …

New Caledonia Riots: The Azerbaijan Factor
6 months ago

New Caledonia Riots: The Azerbaijan Factor

The Diplomat  

Last month, as a voting reform bill sparked riots that ripped through New Caledonia, the French special collectivity in Oceania, Paris suspected foreign interference was at play. “I regret that some of the separatists have made a deal,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated, “with Azerbaijan.” Video had emerged of protesters in New Caledonia waving Azerbaijani flags before posters of Azerbaijani …

New Caledonia reopening its international airport and shortening curfew as unrest continues to ebb
6 months, 1 week ago

New Caledonia reopening its international airport and shortening curfew as unrest continues to ebb

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Macron suspends voting reform in New Caledonia that had sparked violence
6 months, 1 week ago

Macron suspends voting reform in New Caledonia that had sparked violence

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday the suspension of controversial voting reforms in New Caledonia, following a spate of deadly unrest in the French Pacific territory. The violence flared on May 13 in response to attempts by Macron’s government to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists in New Caledonia. Both sides of New Caledonia’s bitter divide …

France hurries to let New Caledonia vote in European elections after its deadly unrest. Few want to
6 months, 2 weeks ago

France hurries to let New Caledonia vote in European elections after its deadly unrest. Few want to

Associated Press  

NICE, France — Days after France lifted emergency measures in New Caledonia to quell the worst unrest in decades in its Pacific territory, it is hurrying to ensure that residents of the troubled archipelago can vote in the upcoming European elections. European elections have traditionally seen low attendance in New Caledonia, whose votes weigh little against 48 million voters in …

French authorities regain full control of New Caledonia's capital after days of deadly unrest
6 months, 3 weeks ago

French authorities regain full control of New Caledonia's capital after days of deadly unrest

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

New Caledonia's capital Noumea back under control after riots, French minister says
6 months, 3 weeks ago

New Caledonia's capital Noumea back under control after riots, French minister says

ABC  

In short: France's interior minister says New Caledonia's capital Noumea is back under control after two weeks of deadly riots. France's interior minister says New Caledonia's capital Noumea is back under control after two weeks of deadly riots. French security forces have regained control of New Caledonia's capital Noumea, France's interior minister says, two weeks after deadly riots broke out …

New Caledonia state of emergency to end as France deploys more troops
6 months, 3 weeks ago

New Caledonia state of emergency to end as France deploys more troops

Al Jazeera  

The Pacific territory has been rocked by unrest over Paris’s plan to allow more Europeans the vote in provincial elections. The state of emergency in the Pacific island territory of New Caledonia will be lifted on Tuesday morning, after two weeks of violent unrest over French plans to change the rules for provincial elections. Violence erupted in New Caledonia, where …

France to lift state of emergency in efforts to allow political dialogue in riot-hit New Caledonia
6 months, 3 weeks ago

France to lift state of emergency in efforts to allow political dialogue in riot-hit New Caledonia

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron decided on Monday to lift the state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia in a move meant to allow political dialogue following the unrest that left seven people dead and a trail of destruction, his office said. New Caledonia’s top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said on Monday …

French president Emmanuel Macron delays New Caledonia voting reforms after deadly riots
7 months ago

French president Emmanuel Macron delays New Caledonia voting reforms after deadly riots

ABC  

In short: French President Emmanuel Macron has delayed plans to reform voting laws in the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. French President Emmanuel Macron has delayed plans to reform voting laws in the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. French President Emmanuel Macron has delayed voting reforms that sparked deadly riots in New Caledonia, but has stopped short of …

French President Macron says he won’t rush through voting reforms that triggered New Caledonia riots
7 months ago

French President Macron says he won’t rush through voting reforms that triggered New Caledonia riots

Associated Press  

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday on a visit to riot-hit New Caledonia that he won’t force through the contested voting reform that sparked the French Pacific territory’s deadly unrest, saying he wants local leaders to come up with an alternate agreement for the archipelago’s future. Pro-independence Kanak leaders, who a week earlier declined Macron’s offer of talks by video, …

Australia and New Zealand evacuate scores of their citizens from New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australia and New Zealand evacuate scores of their citizens from New Caledonia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Australian military had flown …

Australia and New Zealand evacuate scores of their citizens from New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australia and New Zealand evacuate scores of their citizens from New Caledonia

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian military has flown 115 passengers on two flights from the restive French Pacific territory of New Caledonia and a French government flight was expected to evacuate another 100 stranded passengers on Wednesday, an Australian government minister said. “We’ll continue to work with the French government to make sure we get every Australian out of New …

Macron flies to New Caledonia amid ongoing unrest and Indigenous frustration with France
7 months ago

Macron flies to New Caledonia amid ongoing unrest and Indigenous frustration with France

LA Times  

New Zealand tourists line up to board a New Zealand Defense Force aircraft at Magenta Airport in Noumea, New Caledonia, on Tuesday. Australia and New Zealand have sent airplanes to New Caledonia to begin bringing home stranded citizens from the violence-wracked French South Pacific territory. French President Emmanuel Macron was on a flight to New Caledonia on Wednesday to seek …

Australians still stranded in New Caledonia await more evacuation flights
7 months ago

Australians still stranded in New Caledonia await more evacuation flights

ABC  

In short: Stranded Australians are becoming frustrated as they await information about more repatriation flights. Stranded Australian tourists in riot-stricken New Caledonia are still unsure when they will be evacuated, despite French authorities offering seats on departure flights to some travellers. Tylah Carre, an Australian tourist in Noumea, said he received a text from French authorities saying they would "conduct …

Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia amid deadly unrest and indigenous frustration
7 months ago

Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia amid deadly unrest and indigenous frustration

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia, the French Pacific territory that has been gripped by days of deadly unrest and where indigenous people have long sought independence. Six people have been killed, including two gendarmes, and hundreds of others injured in New Caledonia during armed clashes, looting and arson, raising new questions …

Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia's unrest
7 months ago

Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia's unrest

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia

Associated Press  

NEWCASTLE, Australia — Australia and New Zealand sent airplanes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to begin bringing home stranded citizens from the violence-wracked French South Pacific territory. New Zealand’s government also announced that it had sent a plane to New Caledonia to begin evacuating about 50 of its citizens. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days …

Australia sending evacuation flights to pick up those stranded in New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australia sending evacuation flights to pick up those stranded in New Caledonia

ABC  

In short: Australia is sending two planes to rescue stranded Australian tourists in New Caledonia. Australia is sending two planes to rescue stranded Australian tourists in New Caledonia. The federal government is sending two flights to riot-stricken New Caledonia to pick up stranded Australian tourists as the French Pacific territory continues to grapple with unrest. "We've received clearance for two …

Australian Defence Force repatriation flights land in Brisbane from New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australian Defence Force repatriation flights land in Brisbane from New Caledonia

ABC  

In short: More than 100 Australians and other tourists have been repatriated to Brisbane by the Australian Defence Force from riot-hit New Caledonia. More than 100 Australians and other tourists have been repatriated to Brisbane by the Australian Defence Force from riot-hit New Caledonia. Australians await more flights The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have contacted Australians in New …

Looting and rioting has stopped in New Caledonia but problems remain
7 months ago

Looting and rioting has stopped in New Caledonia but problems remain

NPR  

Looting and rioting has stopped in New Caledonia but problems remain The French overseas territory of New Caledonia has returned to a relative calm after last week's rioting killed at least six people, and exacted a billion dollars in damage to property and businesses. LEILA FADEL, HOST: The French overseas territory of New Caledonia has returned to a relative calm …

Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia
7 months ago

Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia

NPR  

Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Craig/NZ Herald via AP Michael Craig/NZ Herald via AP NEWCASTLE, Australia — Australia and New Zealand sent airplanes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to begin bringing home stranded citizens from the violence-wracked French South Pacific territory. New Zealand's government also announced that …

Why an approved constitutional amendment in New Caledonia led to deadly violence in the French overseas territory
7 months ago

Why an approved constitutional amendment in New Caledonia led to deadly violence in the French overseas territory

ABC  

Deadly violence has erupted in New Caledonia, after the French Government approved a constitutional amendment to allow residents who have lived in the territory for at least 10 years to vote in provincial elections. After France's colonisation in the 19th century, New Caledonia officially became a French overseas territory in 1946. Paris has come to view the arrangement as undemocratic …

French authorities report a sixth fatality in New Caledonia violence
7 months ago

French authorities report a sixth fatality in New Caledonia violence

Associated Press  

French security forces reported another death Saturday in armed clashes in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the sixth fatality in nearly a week of violent unrest scorching the archipelago whose indigenous population has long sought independence. “It’s a spectacle of desolation.” “The situation is not improving — quite the contrary — despite all the appeals for calm,” she …

New Caledonia's civil unrest has unfolded rapidly, but some say the French territory's strife was years in the making
7 months ago

New Caledonia's civil unrest has unfolded rapidly, but some say the French territory's strife was years in the making

ABC  

David Guyenne is counting the cost of damage from the civil unrest that plunged New Caledonia into its worst violence in 40 years. University of Melbourne professor Simon Batterbury and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences professor Matthias Kowasch, both experts in New Caledonia politics, said the proposed changes left pro–independence supporters feeling betrayed. "It would frustrate the success of …

Violent protests rage in France’s New Caledonia amid growing civil unrest
7 months ago

Violent protests rage in France’s New Caledonia amid growing civil unrest

Al Jazeera  

Mass protests erupted in New Caledonia this week after France’s parliament voted to allow French residents who have lived in the Pacific Islands territory for 10 years or more to vote in provincial elections. But local people – particularly those from the Indigenous Kanak community, who make up 40 percent of the islands’ population – fear this will undermine their …

Death toll rises to six in New Caledonia riots as unrest spreads
7 months ago

Death toll rises to six in New Caledonia riots as unrest spreads

Al Jazeera  

Hundreds of heavily armed marines and police patrol the French territory’s capital Noumea after a night of violence. One more person has been killed in France’s Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order, taking the death toll from nearly a week of unrest and looting to six. French security forces reported the sixth fatality …

Violent riots ease in New Caledonia as French marines arrive to help stretched forces
7 months ago

Violent riots ease in New Caledonia as French marines arrive to help stretched forces

ABC  

In short: Authorities reported fewer violent incidents on New Caledonia as rioting "calmed". French marines are patrolling New Caledonia, which local authorities say is "calmer" after days of deadly riots, but concerns are mounting about access to medical care and food on the island. Fewer violent incidents were reported on Friday local time as 1,000 additional security forces were deployed …

Violence in New Caledonia subsides slightly as France sends reinforcements for security
7 months, 1 week ago

Violence in New Caledonia subsides slightly as France sends reinforcements for security

Associated Press  

PARIS — The number of violent incidents reported in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia fell slightly on Friday, after France imposed a state of emergency following protests over voting reforms backed by the government in Paris. French authorities in New Caledonia and at the interior ministry in Paris said that five people, including two police officers, have been …

New Caledonia ‘calmer’ after France imposed state of emergency
7 months, 1 week ago

New Caledonia ‘calmer’ after France imposed state of emergency

Al Jazeera  

Some 1,000 security personnel have arrived from France to address the worst unrest in the territory since the 1980s. Authorities in New Caledonia have described the situation in the French Pacific territory as “calmer” after Paris declared a state of emergency in response to violence that erupted on Monday night over plans to change provincial voting rules. The officer of …

Violence rages in New Caledonia as France rushes emergency reinforcements to its Pacific territory
7 months, 1 week ago

Violence rages in New Caledonia as France rushes emergency reinforcements to its Pacific territory

Associated Press  

PARIS — Violence raged across New Caledonia for the third consecutive day Thursday, hours after France imposed a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory, boosting security forces’ powers to quell unrest in the archipelago that has long sought independence. French authorities in New Caledonia and the interior ministry in Paris said five people, including two police officers, were …

New Caledonia: Aussies caught in violent riots on Pacific island neighbour claim they've been 'abandoned' by the government
7 months, 1 week ago

New Caledonia: Aussies caught in violent riots on Pacific island neighbour claim they've been 'abandoned' by the government

Daily Mail  

Aussie tourists stranded on a Pacific Island that has plunged into civil unrest claim they have been abandoned by the Australian government. Police and tactical squad officers blocked roads in a bid to restore order as the violence escalated Aussie tourists who have been left stranded on the Pacific Island claim they have been denied travel assistance by the Department …

Violence turns deadly in New Caledonia as France rushes reinforcements to its Pacific territory
7 months, 1 week ago

Violence turns deadly in New Caledonia as France rushes reinforcements to its Pacific territory

LA Times  

Smoke rises during protests in Noumea, New Caledonia, on Wednesday. Violence raged across New Caledonia for the third consecutive day Thursday, hours after France imposed a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory, boosting security forces’ powers to quell unrest in the archipelago that has long sought independence. French authorities in New Caledonia and the interior ministry in Paris …

Why are protests against France raging in New Caledonia?
7 months, 1 week ago

Why are protests against France raging in New Caledonia?

Al Jazeera  

Violent protests against new voting rules imposed by France, along with looting and arson attacks, have rocked the French Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia for a third day, causing the deaths of at least four people, with hundreds more injured as demonstrators clash with security forces. Mass protests erupted on Tuesday after the French parliament passed reforms to local …

France declares a state of emergency in New Caledonia, 500 police sent to quash deadly riots
7 months, 1 week ago

France declares a state of emergency in New Caledonia, 500 police sent to quash deadly riots

ABC  

In short: France has declared a state of emergency in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia. France has declared a state of emergency in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia after four people, including a police officer, were killed in riots over voting reform in the French-ruled archipelago. "Yet its neighbours from the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pacific Island Forum …

‘Intolerable’: State of emergency in New Caledonia as unrest spreads
7 months, 1 week ago

‘Intolerable’: State of emergency in New Caledonia as unrest spreads

Al Jazeera  

France is sending 1,000 additional security personnel to join 1,700 on the ground in bid to tackle situation. France has declared a state of emergency in its Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia and deployed police and military reinforcements in an attempt to end days of unrest over Paris’s move to change the rules on provincial elections. On Thursday, Prime …

France imposes emergency in Pacific territory of New Caledonia as violent unrest turns deadly
7 months, 1 week ago

France imposes emergency in Pacific territory of New Caledonia as violent unrest turns deadly

Associated Press  

PARIS — France imposed an emergency Wednesday in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia for at least 12 days, boosting security forces’ powers to quell deadly unrest in the archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence. French military forces were being deployed to protect ports and airports, to free up police and security forces battling looting, arson and …

Three people killed in New Caledonia protests as France calls for calm in the Pacific territory
7 months, 1 week ago

Three people killed in New Caledonia protests as France calls for calm in the Pacific territory

ABC  

In short: Three people have been killed after violence erupted this week in protest against plans to allow more people to take part in local elections. Three people have been killed in unrest in New Caledonia, an official said, as rioting continued and shops and schools remained shut after France's National Assembly approved changes to voting rules in the Pacific …

Three killed in riots after France backs New Caledonia vote changes
7 months, 1 week ago

Three killed in riots after France backs New Caledonia vote changes

Al Jazeera  

Two days of rioting rock the Pacific territory after France’s adoption of controversial electoral reforms. At least three people have been killed in the worst unrest in New Caledonia in more than 30 years, as rioting continued and schools remained closed after France adopted controversial reforms to the Pacific territory’s voting rules. “What we’ve seen in New Caledonia over the …

France imposes curfew in New Caledonia after unrest by people who have long sought independence
7 months, 1 week ago

France imposes curfew in New Caledonia after unrest by people who have long sought independence

Associated Press  

PARIS — Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia announced a two-day curfew and banned gatherings on Tuesday after violent unrest on the archipelago with decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and colonizers’ descendants who want to remain part of France. The president of the pro-independence Caledonian Union party, Daniel Goa, called for calm but said …

Curfew imposed in New Caledonia following riots over constitutional reform
7 months, 1 week ago

Curfew imposed in New Caledonia following riots over constitutional reform

ABC  

In short: A curfew has been imposed in the French overseas territory following riots. New Caledonia has announced a curfew from 6pm to 6am following overnight riots that saw vehicles torched and roads blocked in the South Pacific French territory, following proposed constitutional reforms. The French High Commission in New Caledonia said in a statement overnight on Monday that there …

New Caledonia: Security forces deployed, curfew imposed amid Noumea unrest
7 months, 1 week ago

New Caledonia: Security forces deployed, curfew imposed amid Noumea unrest

Al Jazeera  

Buildings and cars torched after protest against constitutional amendments descended into unrest Security forces have been mobilised and a curfew imposed in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia after a general strike and protests over proposed constitutional amendments descended into violence. Saying that the violence was continuing, Louis Le Franc, the high commissioner of New Caledonia, said in …

New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result
3 years ago

New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result

Al Jazeera  

Final results show turnout for independence referendum was 43.90 percent, as a call to boycott the vote was largely heeded. Pro-independence parties in New Caledonia have rejected the result of a referendum, which overwhelmingly approved the Pacific territory remaining part of France, as final results showed that almost two-third of voters abstained or returned blank or null ballots. President Emmanuel …

New Caledonia votes 'no' to independence from France in third referendum
3 years ago

New Caledonia votes 'no' to independence from France in third referendum

ABC  

New Caledonians have voted overwhelmingly to remain part of France in a third referendum that was boycotted by pro-independence groups, raising fears of new tensions. Key points: Just over 96 per cent are against independence, from a turn-out of under 44 per cent Pro-independence campaigners boycott the vote, demanding it be postponed due to COVID-19 deaths Observers say the result …

Discover Related