New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific, has been experiencing unrest since last week due to electoral changes implemented by the French government. The tensions have resulted in violent clashes, looting, and arson. Both Australia and New Zealand have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from the region.
According to reports, at least six people have been killed during the riots and hundreds more injured. About 300 Australians are in New Caledonia, along with an unknown number of other foreign nationals. The Australian government has received clearance from French authorities to send two evacuation flights.
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters also announced that the country would be sending a plane to evacuate about 50 of its citizens. Noumea, the capital city of New Caledonia, remains closed to commercial flights due to the unrest.
The violence was sparked by electoral changes from the French government that opponents fear will benefit pro-France politicians and further marginalize indigenous Kanaks who have long sought independence from France. The National Assembly in Paris approved a bill allowing residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to cast ballots in provincial elections, which has been met with opposition.
French authorities have sent over a thousand security personnel to try and quell the unrest and restore control. Armed clashes, looting, arson, and other violence have turned parts of Noumea into no-go zones. Columns of smoke billowed into the sky as hulks of burned cars littered roads, businesses and shops were ransacked, and buildings became smoking ruins.
There have been decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who want to remain part of France. The unrest erupted on May 13 as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists.
The Australian and New Zealand governments are working with France to ensure the safe evacuation of their citizens from New Caledonia. The exact number of foreign nationals who will be evacuated is not yet known.
