Pro-independence activists in riot-hit New Caledonia refused Monday, May 20, to abandon roadblocks that have paralyzed much of the Pacific archipelago and halted commercial air traffic, defying a major security operation by French forces. France has sent 1,000 armed police, troops, and national security reinforcements to its overseas territory, a popular holiday destination rocked by seven nights of violence that have left six dead and hundreds injured.
New Caledonia, with a population of about 270,000, has been convulsed since May 13 by the unrest, sparked by French plans to impose new rules that would update the local electoral register to give tens of thousands of newer residents the right to vote.
Some 600 heavily armed French police have "neutralized" 76 roadblocks on the 60-kilometer route between the capital Nouméa and La Tontouta International Airport, officials said. The airport remains closed to all commercial flights.
Hailing Sunday's operation as a "success," the French high commission in New Caledonia said forces would remove burned-out vehicles littering the key route for essential food and material supplies. Pro-independence, largely Indigenous Kanak activists, said they would not release their chokehold.
"We are maintaining our roadblocks in place," said a statement by the so-called Ground Action Coordination Cell, or CCAT, some of whose leaders are under house arrest on suspicion of being behind the riots. Roadblocks would be closed to all vehicles during night time curfews except for health emergencies and firefighters, the group said. Indigenous Kanak people had suffered from discrimination for too long, it said, insisting that it sought a peaceful resolution but criticizing the French "colonial state" plan to expand voting rights.
President Emmanuel Macron has called a meeting of his defense and security council for Monday. On Friday, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal met leaders of the parliamentary parties to discuss whether to extend the state of emergency beyond its initial 12 days. That would require the approval of both chambers of Parliament.
Indigenous Kanaks make up about 40% of the population but tend to be poorer and have fewer years of schooling than European Caledonians. Kanak groups say the latest voting regulations would dilute the Indigenous vote.
The presidents the local governments of four other French overseas territories – La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean and French Guiana in South America – on Sunday called for the withdrawal of the voting reform in an open letter.
Civil liberties groups have challenged a local TikTok ban, with an emergency hearing scheduled at France's top administrative court in Paris for Tuesday.