Chaos in New Caledonia: France sends gendarmerie but situation is far from calming down

(Patria) - French forces launched a major operation to regain control of the road connecting Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, to the main international airport, after the sixth night of unrest in this Pacific archipelago in which six people died.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that more than 600 gendarmes, including about a hundred members of the GIGN, the elite tactical unit of the gendarmerie, have been deployed to secure the main road connecting the city to the airport and the outside world.

The unrest began last week after lawmakers in the national assembly in Paris voted to amend laws that would allow a larger number of French citizens to vote in local elections in New Caledonia, which indigenous leaders believe will neutralize the political influence of the indigenous population.

The mayor of Nouméa, Sonia Lagarde, said that New Caledonia is under siege and that numerous public buildings in the archipelago have been set on fire, and that despite the arrival of reinforcements of several hundred police officers, the situation is "far from calming down".

A nightly curfew, the imposition of a state of emergency, a ban on "TikTok", and the arrival of hundreds of soldiers from mainland France did not prevent unrest last night either, AFP reported.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency that includes a nightly curfew, as well as a ban on public gatherings, the sale of alcohol, and the carrying of weapons.

Unidentified groups set two fires and looted a gas station, the office of the High Commissioner of New Caledonia announced.

Local media reported that the public library was among the buildings set on fire.

Despite the new violence, authorities insist that the situation is improving.

The violence is fueled by an economic crisis, ethnic tensions, and long-standing animosity towards French authorities in the territory.

So far, 230 rioters have been arrested, and a ban on gatherings and a curfew are in effect on the island of Kaï.