The deaths of four people, three indigenous Kanak youths and a 22-year-old policeman, shot in the head this Wednesday during unrest on the French Pacific island of New Caledonia have left the French government in despair. alert, ahead Reuters.
French government spokeswoman Prisca Thévenot announced this afternoon that a state of emergency would be declared: “Any violence will not be tolerated and will be met with a strong response,” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.
Cars are on fire, stores are looted, schools are closed, and residents are armed to defend their homes. The public is outraged by the change in voting rules approved on Tuesday. At stake is the ability of French residents living in New Caledonia for 10 years to be able to vote in provincial elections. Local leaders fear the new bill will jeopardize the Kanak people’s votes.
“The residents are scared, armed and planning to go out on patrol tonight to protect their homes,” explained 19-year-old Lilu Garrido Navarro Querachi.
The French government considers changing voting rules necessary to democratize elections.
The Kanaka-Socialist National Liberation Front (FNLN), the main pro-independence political group, is open to dialogue with Macron and is willing to negotiate an agreement “that will allow New Caledonia to follow the path to emancipation.”
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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