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 and lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to open up the electorate to include people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years. Editor's note : This story has been updated to clarify the constitutional amendment relates to residents who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years.

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History of this topic

New Caledonia marks anniversary of French colonization with tight security and simmering tensions
2 months, 4 weeks ago

New Caledonia marks anniversary of French colonization with tight security and simmering tensions

Associated Press  

NOUMEA, New Caledonia — New Caledonia marked the anniversary on Tuesday of France’s takeover of the Pacific archipelago with tight security and simmering tensions between the pro-independence Indigenous Kanak people and the white settler communities loyal to Paris. The 171st anniversary of the French colonization of New Caledonia, which is east of Australia and 10 time zones ahead of Paris, …

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 …

France’s ‘colonial strategy’ blamed for division in troubled New Caledonia
4 months, 3 weeks ago

France’s ‘colonial strategy’ blamed for division in troubled New Caledonia

Al Jazeera  

Three months after the French Pacific territory was rocked by a wave of unrest, an uneasy calm has returned. The French government still has a colonial strategy in New Caledonia and does not respect the political situation here,” Alain, a member of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front who preferred to be known by a pseudonym for security reasons, …

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 …

A man shot by police in New Caledonia has died. The French Pacific territory remains restive
6 months, 2 weeks ago

A man shot by police in New Caledonia has died. The French Pacific territory remains restive

Associated Press  

PARIS — A man shot by police in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia has died of his wounds, becoming the eighth victim of weeks of unrest prompted by changes to the voting law that Indigenous Kanaks fear will marginalize them and their push for independence. Police told investigators that armed men rammed a pickup truck into a rental …

A man shot by police in New Caledonia has died. The French Pacific territory remains restive
6 months, 2 weeks ago

A man shot by police in New Caledonia has died. The French Pacific territory remains restive

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 A man shot by police …

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

Associated Press  

French authorities in New Caledonia regained full control of their Pacific territory’s capital, the French interior and overseas minister said on Friday after two weeks of unrest that had left seven people dead and significant destruction in the archipelago that has seen decades of tensions between those seeking independence and those loyal to France. Darmanin said 400 members of French …

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 {{ …

French prosecutor in New Caledonia says authorities are investigating suspects behind deadly unrest
6 months, 3 weeks ago

French prosecutor in New Caledonia says authorities are investigating suspects behind 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 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 French prosecutor in New …

French prosecutor in New Caledonia says authorities are investigating suspects behind deadly unrest
6 months, 3 weeks ago

French prosecutor in New Caledonia says authorities are investigating suspects behind deadly unrest

Associated Press  

NICE, France — The French prosecutor in New Caledonia said authorities have opened an investigation into unrest that has left seven people dead and significant destruction in the Pacific archipelago with decades of tensions between those seeking independence and those loyal to France. “We are interested in those who pull the strings, who have led the planning and have committed …

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 …

Macron says French troops will stay in New Caledonia ‘as long as necessary’
7 months ago

Macron says French troops will stay in New Caledonia ‘as long as necessary’

Al Jazeera  

France’s president is visiting the Pacific territory where electoral reform plans have fuelled the worst unrest in more than 30 years. French President Emmanuel Macron has said French soldiers will remain in New Caledonia “as long as necessary” after more than a week of unrest triggered by French plans to change electoral rules in the Pacific island territory. Macron arrived …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

New Zealand lobbied French on Solomon Islands-China pact, cables show
9 months, 3 weeks ago

New Zealand lobbied French on Solomon Islands-China pact, cables show

Al Jazeera  

New Zealand officials hoped French Polynesia and New Caledonia would respond to security pact, documents show. New Zealand diplomats in New Caledonia’s capital Noumea noted in their reports to Wellington that neither French Polynesia nor New Caledonia “is likely to take a public position” on the deal. After a meeting with New Caledonia’s High Commissioner Patrice Faure on March 30, …

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 …

New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott
3 years ago

New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott

Associated Press  

NOUMEA, New Caledonia — Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific. “Tonight France is more beautiful because New Caledonia decided to stay,” Macron said in a national televised address. “We are reaching a new stage,” Macron …

New Caledonia votes on whether to stay part of France
3 years ago

New Caledonia votes on whether to stay part of France

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 rejects independence from France in third vote
3 years ago

New Caledonia rejects independence from France in third vote

Al Jazeera  

With 90 percent of ballots counted, 96 percent of voters had voted ‘No’ to independence, local media reports. Residents of the Pacific territory of New Caledonia have voted overwhelmingly to remain part of France in a third referendum that was boycotted by pro-independence groups, local media reported. Local television channel NC la 1ere reported that, with 90.23 percent of ballots …

Stay French, or not? New Caledonia holds independence vote
3 years ago

Stay French, or not? New Caledonia holds independence vote

Associated Press  

NOUMEA, New Caledonia — Voters in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia are set to decide Sunday whether to break away from France, a referendum that is important for French geopolitical ambitions and is being closely watched amid growing Chinese influence in the region. When polls open at 7 a.m. in New Caledonia – a vast archipelago east of …

Stay French, or not? New Caledonia holds independence vote
3 years ago

Stay French, or not? New Caledonia holds independence vote

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 South Pacific archipelago of …

New Caledonia set for final vote on independence from France
3 years ago

New Caledonia set for final vote on independence from France

Al Jazeera  

Tensions are high after main independence parties boycott the vote because of COVID and warn they will challenge the outcome. “We have asked our activists and members not to hinder this election so that it can take place and, thus, show that we are not opposed to the democratic system,” Victor Tutugoro, spokesperson for New Caledonia’s Kanak and Socialist National …

France’s New Caledonia set for final independence referendum in December
3 years, 6 months ago

France’s New Caledonia set for final independence referendum in December

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 French Pacific island of …

New Caledonia to hold third independence vote in December
3 years, 6 months ago

New Caledonia to hold third independence vote in December

Al Jazeera  

The poll on possible breakaway from France will take place on December 12, French overseas territories minister says. The French Pacific island of New Caledonia, which rejected independence in two previous referendums, will have a third vote on December 12, France’s overseas territories minister has said. The referendum would be followed by a two-year transition period to allow Paris to …

New Caledonia voters choose to stay part of France
4 years, 2 months ago

New Caledonia voters choose to stay part of France

Associated Press  

NOUMEA, New Caledonia — A majority of voters in New Caledonia chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence in a referendum Sunday that led the French president to call for dialogue after a three-decade decolonization effort in the South Pacific archipelago. and modesty.” Macron promised pro-independence supporters “this is with you, all together, that we will build …

New Caledonia rejects independence from France, votes 'no' in referendum
4 years, 2 months ago

New Caledonia rejects independence from France, votes 'no' in referendum

ABC  

The South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia has voted against independence from France in a referendum, full provisional results showed. Key points: A referendum two years ago saw New Caledonia voters reject independence from France Independence supporters want to reclaim all sovereign powers from France to New Caledonia The Pacific territory has remained COVID-19 free, while France is one of …

New Caledonia rejects independence, will stay part of France
4 years, 2 months ago

New Caledonia rejects independence, will stay part of France

Al Jazeera  

Majority of voters choose to remain part of France, instead of backing independence, in second of three possible referendums. People in the southern Pacific French territory of New Caledonia have once more voted to stay with France, narrowly rejecting independence in a tightly-fought referendum. Turnout was reported to be very high in the second of three possible referendums on independence, …

New Caledonia to vote on independence from France
4 years, 2 months ago

New Caledonia to vote on independence from France

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. In Sunday's referendum, more than …

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