France's Macron arrives in riot-hit New Caledonia to set up dialogue mission

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France’s president arrived early Thursday in the country’s riot-hit overseas territory of New Caledonia to set up a dialogue mission.

Emmanuel Macron took up a visit to the Pacific archipelago, which has been gripped by unrest since last week.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu are accompanying the president.

Macron will "set up a mission" in the Pacific archipelago, French government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot told a news conference following a Council of Ministers meeting hours before Macron’s departure.

The unrest, which started last week, was sparked by a constitutional review initiated by Darmanin.

If the changes are adopted, French nationals who have lived in the island nation for at least 10 years will be eligible to vote in local elections.

Locals, however, are concerned that the changes will dilute the indigenous Kanak population's vote.

France declared a state of emergency and deployed additional forces to assist local forces in reinstating order.

The capital Noumea’s La Tontouta International Airport remains closed to all commercial flights until Saturday due to the violence.

The French government’s decision to ban access to the social media app TikTok in New Caledonia on May 15 soon after tensions rose sparked controversy.

The government said it aimed to counter communication between the rioters.

French human rights groups contested the ban before the Council of State and the government had to justify its decision upon request of this court.