French president to convene 3rd national security council meeting over riots in New Caledonia

By Nur Asena Erturk

The French president will convene a third defense and national security council meeting on Monday over riots in the overseas territory of New Caledonia.

The unrest has gripped New Caledonia for a week, prompting Paris to declare a state of emergency.

President Emmanuel Macron will meet officials to discuss the latest situation in the archipelago located in the Pacific, where riots started following a bill to change election rules.

The meeting will be held at 6.30 p.m. in France (1630GMT), for the third time since last Wednesday, according to broadcaster Franceinfo.

The French territorial High Commission on the island said in a statement that Sunday night was “calmer than the previous nights.”

It added that more than 1,000 police officers, gendarmes, and civil security agents were sent to assist the local forces to reinstate order.

At least six people including two gendarmes were killed during the riots, and 240 rioters arrested, the statement noted.

The unrest was sparked by a constitutional review initiated by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in New Caledonia.

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

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