New Caledonia has announced a mass security mobilisation and instituted a curfew in Noumea after days of rioting and looting as protesters rebel against a proposal by mainland France to amend the constitution.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has cancelled the Noumea section of a ministerial delegation he is leading on a Pacific Mission around parts of the region.
New Zealander Mike Lightfoot, who is holidaying in Noumea, told Newstalk ZB there have been many unsettling moments on the island lately with the election coming up.
“Heading down the coast back into Noumea there was rioting on the sides of the streets,” Lightfoot said.
“It seemed peaceful, but the roads were blocked so we had to come through a lot of fires going and burning tyres.”
EN IMAGES. Une nuit marquée par des violences et des exactions en #NouvelleCaledonie https://t.co/QwSFVX6obz pic.twitter.com/3PShuW25xW
— NC La 1ère (@ncla1ere) May 13, 2024
Lightfoot said the unrest became more serious as they got closer to Noumea.
He said a doctor advised them to be very careful.
“There were fires everywhere, major roadblocks and we certainly heard gunshots.”
Lightfoot also said their flight has been cancelled and the airport closed.
“We don’t feel safe and have been advised to stay in the complex.”
International media on the ground described burning vehicles, looting and clashes between demonstrators and the police.
At the entrance to the New Caledonian capital, a large factory specialising in bottling, was targeted in an arson attack and engulfed by flames on Monday about 10pm local time, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.
Several supermarkets were looted in Noumea, and in the neighbouring towns Dumbea and Le Mont-Dore, at least two car dealerships were engulfed in flames, AFP reported.
Nouméa ce soir. Manifestants opposés à la réforme constitutionnelle sur la #NouvelleCaledonie et forces de l’ordre s’affrontent un peu partout dans la ville les mobiles tentent de dégager les ronds points occupés. pic.twitter.com/GpLvoHbb9S
— Charlotte Mannevy (@CMannevy) May 13, 2024
Aucklander Nat Jones, who has been in New Caledonia since Friday, told the Herald she first suspected something was wrong when she left her resort and caught the bus into central Noumea.
“I just had an eerie feeling. When we were on the bus, we drove by burning tyres and stacks of pallets on fire,” she said.
While Jones and her family were at dinner in town, they saw what looked like an army truck drive by, followed by another truck with protesters waving the Kanak flag.
“After we left the restaurant, we saw the protesters had set a nearby traffic island on fire.”
After returning to the hotel, Jones said they heard an explosion and gunshots.
“I said to everyone, ‘what if there was going to be an uprising while we were here? What if there was a coup?’.”
She said they have received scant advice from hotel staff and government officials.
“We’re just sitting tight.”
La #nouvellecaledonie ce réveil aujourd'hui dans un brouillard odorant, tel une gueule de bois d'un lendemains de cuite, le réveil est difficile...des blocage sont toujours en cours, le #chaos continue. pic.twitter.com/gLiHIZTREE
— Toto Orms (@ormstoto) May 13, 2024
Peters’ ministerial delegation is currently in Papua New Guinea and due to fly to Vanuatu ahead of a planned trip to Noumea.
That Noumea stop will now not go ahead.
A spokesman for Peters told the Herald: “We are aware of events in New Caledonia and hope that peace and calm will prevail”.
“In discussions with our French and New Caledonian hosts, we have decided to postpone this week’s travel to Noumea to allow authorities to fully focus on the current situation.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the NZ Defence Force are now working on a revised schedule with host governments in Vanuatu and Tuvalu.
🔵 Point de situation sur les graves troubles à l’ordre public. pic.twitter.com/sXiHXI4RDY
— Haut-commissariat en Nouvelle-Calédonie 🇫🇷 (@HC98800) May 13, 2024
New Caledonia’s High Commissioner announced a mass mobilisation of security forces across the island and instituted a 12-hour curfew from 6pm this evening local time until 6am tomorrow.
“It will be forbidden to gather in urban areas in Noumea, forbidden to transport arms across the majority of New Caledonia and forbidden to sell alcohol across the majority of New Caledonia.”
Last week, the French National Assembly in Paris debated altering the rules of eligibility to vote in local elections.
The proposed changes would move the electoral roll from allowing those who resided in New Caledonia before November 1998 to allowing any French citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 consecutive years to vote.
Pro-independence parties said it would affect their representation.
A spokesperson from New Caledonia Tourism (NCT) said the ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed changes to electoral conditions, particularly the extension of New Caledonian citizenship, have led to protests and demonstrations.
“These events have resulted in temporary disruptions to certain transport and road links, primarily affecting services to secondary islands like Lifou and Ile des Pins, with airports and ports temporarily blocked.
“Yesterday, tensions escalated with acts of vandalism targeting shops and roundabouts in Noumea. However, we want to emphasise that the local authorities are actively working to maintain order, deploying significant police presence, and implementing a curfew from 6pm to 6am until May 15.
“While some services and shops remain closed, it’s important to note that tourist areas have largely been unaffected. Calm has been restored across the country this morning, with no direct impact on hotels.
“At NCT, we deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this situation and are collaborating closely with local partners to explore alternative transport solutions for stranded travellers. However, as a precautionary measure, we advise tourists to limit their travel at this time.
“In response to these events, we are postponing the majority of our educational tours and marketing activities until further notice.”
An MFAT spokesperson said 31 New Zealanders are in New Caledonia registered on SafeTravel.
“We recommend that all travellers check with their airline before proceeding to the airport.
“New Zealanders in New Caledonia are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations, as even those intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
“New Zealanders are also advised to monitor local media for developments and comply with any instructions and restrictions issued by the local authorities.”
MFAT also advised any Kiwis in New Caledonia to consult the SafeTravel website for any updates.
New Zealanders in need of consular assistance can contact the 24/7 Consular Emergency line on +64 99 202020.