New Caledonia
State of emergency in paradise
Wolfgang Hansson
This is a commenting text. Analysis and positions are the writer's.
Published 18.36
Several have been injured and died in the riots in New Caledonia. Photo: Nicolas Job / AP
Violent riots, several dead, hundreds injured, burning cars and houses.
If there was anyone who didn't think things could get violent in paradise, look at New Caledonia.
The colonial phantom pains give President Macron a severe headache.
Quick version
France belongs to the old great powers that had the hardest time dismantling their old colonies. There are still a number of so-called French territories around the world that are at least partially governed from Paris and where French law applies. New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean has a special status with some autonomy.
New Caledonia has been a French colony since 1853. The island group has three times voted for independence from France, but each time the proposal has been rejected.
However, this does not mean that the dream of throwing off the colonial yoke once and for all is not alive with many of the local population. But there are sections of the population, mostly European immigrants, who oppose independence. Over the years, New Caledonia has repeatedly suffered outbreaks of violence due to the struggle for independence.
The trigger for the latest protests was that the French parliament is trying to push through changes in the constitution which mean that French people who have moved to the island group in the last ten years will be given the right to vote in local elections.
It is seen by many in the local population as a way of diluting their vote share. The indigenous Kanak people make up 40 percent of New Caledonia's population of 270,000. If the changes go through, it will likely be even more difficult for the Kanak to gather a majority for independence.
Nevertheless, the violence has shocked many. Three protesters have been killed and two policemen shot dead. France has declared a state of emergency and sent reinforcements to the island group. According to the local authorities, there are still areas that are not under their control.
The schools are closed until further notice, as is the international airport.
Tiktok has been shut down because the service was used by those who protested.
For those who thought that all the world's colonies have been dismantled, New Caledonia has become a rude awakening. French Guiana, Martinique and Guadalope are other foreign territories still partially governed from France and where French law applies. They have representatives in the French Parliament.
France is a typical example of how colonial death knells leave their mark. Even in many of the colonies that gained their independence, there has been a backlash against the former colonial power.
In Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, military juntas have seized power in recent years and ordered the French troops in the country to leave. They want to try to break away completely from the French heritage.
Something that risks having consequences far beyond Africa when the fight against radical Islam is weakened and the risk increases that terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and IS will be able to use these countries as a base to plan terrorist actions against the West.
Even in New Caledonia there are international entanglements. France accuses Azerbaijan of encouraging the protests. Many of the rioters have been waving Azeri flags.
The motive would be that France has always been a strong supporter of the Christian Armenians in the breakaway republic of Nagorno Karabakh. An enclave that Armenia and Azerbaijan have disputed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but where Azerbaijan now appears to have emerged victorious.
Unsurprisingly, the leadership in Baku denies all such allegations.
China is carrying out a major diplomatic offensive in the region and has signed agreements to build military bases in, among other things, the Solomon Islands, which are located in the same area.
This may be a reason why France does not want to relinquish control over New Caledonia.
In the event of independence, New Caledonia would likely be eagerly courted by China with promises of economic aid and cooperation.
In just a few years, the Pacific states of the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru have switched sides and now recognize China instead of Taiwan. At the same time, China has spent over SEK 40 billion in aid in the region.
Something that caused alarm bells to ring in Washington and Canberra. New Caledonia's future may also be important to the outside world.
President Macron has promised to postpone the final decisions on the changes to voting rights until the end of June. Yesterday, he was supposed to hold a digital meeting with both sides to find a solution but the meeting was canceled due to disagreement.
Continuation will follow.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar