Anti-independence bloc leads New Caledonia poll but fall short of majority
The New Zealand public broadcaster reports that about 2,500 police officers were deployed to secure and monitor polling stations.
Advertisement
Content Feed
France’s ‘colonial strategy’ blamed for division in troubled New Caledonia
Three months after the French Pacific territory was rocked by a wave of unrest, an uneasy calm has returned.
French gendarmes stand amid tear gas as pro-independence protesters clash with them during an operation to remove a roadblock on Paul-Emile Victor avenue in Dumbea on the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
A car on fire on Riviere Salee's main road in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
Smoke rises from a fire at a makeshift roadblock set up by pro-independence supporters. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
French gendarmes face pro-independence protesters amid clashes during the removal of a roadblock on Paul-Emile Victor avenue in Dumbea. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
The French High Commission in Noumea said protesters set fire to the town hall in the Koumac commune and destroyed areas in Paita. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
Pro-independence protesters burned police vehicles and blocked roads in New Caledonia. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
The unrest in the semiautonomous French Pacific territory erupted in May after France voted to approve reforms to allow thousands more French residents who have lived in the territory for 10 years to vote. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
Indigenous Kanaks fear this reform will dilute their vote and make it harder for any future referendum on independence to pass, while Paris says the measure is needed to improve democracy. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
France deployed 3,000 soldiers and police to the archipelago to restore calm. [Delphine Mayeur/AFP]
+5
Violence returns to New Caledonia after activists sent to France
Police vehicles burned and roads blocked in Pacific territory after arrested pro-independence activists moved to France.
New Caledonia independence activists sent to France for detention
Pro-independence leader Christian Tein among seven flown to the mainland after last month’s large-scale riots.
New Caledonia police arrest pro-independence leader over deadly protests
Christian Tein is accused of instigating riots against French rule last month that killed nine people.
New Caledonia state of emergency to end as France deploys more troops
The Pacific territory has been rocked by unrest over Paris’s plan to allow more Europeans the vote in provincial polls.
Macron delays New Caledonia voting reform after protests
President meets political leaders on French-ruled Pacific island, says changes won’t be implemented ‘by force’.
Macron says French troops will stay in New Caledonia ‘as long as necessary’
France’s president is visiting the Pacific territory where electoral reform plans have led to the worst unrest in years
Macron heading to New Caledonia as France deploys more troops amid unrest
Noumea’s international airport remains closed; Australia and New Zealand to use military planes to evacuate tourists.
French forces clear New Caledonia roadblocks as official vows to end unrest
Dozens of barricades dismantled along key road linking airport to capital Noumea, French officials say.
