Renewed Tensions Erupt in Noumea Following Police Intervention
The Noumea metropolitan area in New Caledonia has witnessed a resurgence of tensions following the police intervention that resulted in the deaths of two Kanak insurgents. On Thursday evening, violence erupted, contrasting sharply with the relative calm that had prevailed in recent weeks. General Nicolas Matthéos, commander of the New Caledonian gendarmerie, described the night as "relatively agitated" during a press conference organized by the High Commission.
Reports from the internal security forces indicated multiple incidents of violence, including the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails at police, roadblocks made from waste materials, and significant property damage, including a fire at a museum and the destruction of a house in Bourail. Despite the unrest, General Matthéos noted that the situation was not as severe as the violence that erupted on May 13, which resulted in 13 fatalities, including two gendarmes. He highlighted a significant decrease in mobilization, attributing this to approximately 2,500 arrests made in the past four months.
Decrease in Mobilization Amidst Continued Violence
The recent violence is linked to ongoing pro-independence mobilization against electoral reforms that have been suspended since the dissolution of the National Assembly. Jean-Marie Cavier, the territorial director of the National Police, reported that confrontations were primarily occurring in working-class neighborhoods. However, areas like Saint-Louis have seen fewer disturbances, thanks to community efforts to maintain peace.
While tensions have eased since mid-July, the aftermath of the violence has left parts of Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, inaccessible by road. The gendarmerie has recorded over 300 shots fired during the unrest, with material damages estimated to be at least 2.2 billion euros. The situation remains precarious as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence and the ongoing quest for stability.
