New Caledonia marks 171st anniversary of French annexation amid unrest over delayed electoral reforms

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - New Caledonia on Tuesday marked the 171st anniversary of its annexation by France amid ongoing violence sparked by delayed electoral reforms proposed by Paris, which have stirred tensions for weeks.

The day, which is remembered by the indigenous Kanak people as Kanak Mourning Day, marks the French colonization of New Caledonia in 1853. Kanaks, who number 112,000 out of a population of 300,000, have consistently pushed for independence from French rule.

Recent protests, which erupted on May 13, were driven by resistance to France’s proposed electoral reforms that would have granted voting rights in local elections to French nationals who have lived on the island for at least 10 years.

The Kanak population views the reforms as a threat to their electoral power, fearing that the changes would erode their influence.

The protests, marked by violence, have led to the deaths of at least 13 people, including two members of the gendarmerie.

In response, French authorities deployed an additional 700 police officers to New Caledonia, bringing the total number to over 5,000.

Regular curfews have been imposed by French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc to quell unrest during the anniversary period.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June the suspension of the controversial electoral reform, but tensions remain high.

In June, French authorities arrested 11 pro-independence leaders in Noumea and transferred them to France, including Christian Tein, a newly named leader of the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front, who remains in French custody.

The Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG), an NGO advocating for economic self-determination in the Pacific, issued a statement marking Sept. 24 as a day of "deep grief, violence, and dispossession" for the Kanak people. PANG described the anniversary as a "haunting reminder" of the start of French colonization, emphasizing the ongoing struggles of the Kanaks against a history filled with loss and resilience.

“It serves as a powerful marker of the ongoing struggles faced by the people as they ​confront a history filled with loss and resilience,” it said.

PANG also criticized France’s portrayal of New Caledonia as a "tropical paradise" for tourism, stating that the reality is one of systemic disrespect and exploitation of indigenous lands and communities. The group called for France to withdraw its military operations from New Caledonia.

“The Kanak people continue to endure various forms of oppression, as their rights ​and heritage are challenged,” it added.