French President Emmanuel Macron is issuing a decree declaring a state of emergency in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia after two nights of rioting there over constitutional reform, his office said Wednesday, May 15.
Macron warned that any further violence would be met with an "unyielding" response and called for a resumption of political dialogue to end the unrest which had now claimed three lives, the Elysée said in a statement. Giving a new toll, the presidency said three people had been killed, while a police officer has been very seriously wounded. "All violence is intolerable and will be the subject of an unyielding response to ensure the return of republican order," the presidency said.
Macron welcomed the calls for calm on all sides of the political divide on the overseas territory, calling for a resumption of dialogue and representatives of factions to come to Paris for talks.