New Caledonia

Will take back the paradise island: "Whatever the cost"

Emil Forsberg

Published 01.04

            

          A large number of cars have been left burnt out on the paradise island after this week's protests.   
          Photo:  Nicolas Job / AP

French elite forces have been called in to quell the protests in New Caledonia.

Now a warning is being sent to the rebels.

- Order will be restored, whatever the cost, says High Commissioner Louis Le Franc.

Last night, France launched a major operation to take back control of the Pacific island group of New Caledonia, where protests have raged for almost a week.

Six people have been killed in the clashes between police and protesters.

600 heavily armed police are now working to retake the main road that runs between the airport and the capital, Noumea, Reuters said.

76 improvised roadblocks set up by the protesters have been destroyed, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

200 people are said to have been arrested.

- There are still many obstacles that must be removed in order to be able to introduce a republican order, says Darmanin.

"Will risk the worst"

New Caledonia's High Commissioner Louis Le Franc says order will be restored "whatever the cost".

- If the protesters want to use their weapons, they will risk the worst.

 

French elite force Brav-M is used to dealing with violent clashes. Archive image. Photo: Christophe Ena / AP

The protests broke out after the amendment to the French constitution that will allow residents who have lived in New Caledonia for ten years to vote in the provincial elections in the French colony.

Something that is seen as a threat to the indigenous Kanak population's vote share and influence.

Macron calls for crisis meeting

Dominique Fochi, leader of the independence movement, says the French government must immediately stop the constitutional amendment.

- We need powerful measures to calm the situation. The government must stop pouring fuel on the fire, he told Reuters.

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council on Monday evening to discuss the situation in the territory, the Elysee Palace said.

Protests have also been held in Paris during the week in support of the island's uprising. Photo: Thomas Padilla / AP