Pro-independence group in New Caledonia demands withdrawal of French security forces

By Silan Turp

ANKARA (AA) — A pro-independence group in New Caledonia called on Wednesday for the "immediate" withdrawal of security forces deployed to the island by the French government.

At a news conference, the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) urged the police, gendarmes, and soldiers to leave the French overseas territory, where they were sent to quell violent incidents broke out in May, local media reported.

A constitutional change passed by Paris to give French residents of New Caledonia who have been there for more than 10 years the right to vote in provincial elections sparked protests, raising concerns about the indigenous Kanak population's political representation being reduced. French President Emmanuel Macron has since announced the suspension of the contested electoral reform plan.

The FLNKS also called for a dialogue mission that is politically structured, impartial, and enjoys international status, demanding French President Emmanuel Macron instruct the country's next prime minister to engage with the group.

In addition, the FLNKS demanded the departure of French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc and prosecutor Yves Dupas from the South Pacific archipelago and the return to the island of New Caledonian independence supporters who were detained and taken to France.

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

The indigenous Kanaks believe the French government's constitutional reform initiative violates the Noumea Agreement. The proposed changes would allow French citizens who have lived on the island for at least 10 years to vote in local elections.

New Caledonia gained autonomy through the Noumea Agreement in 1998, which restricted voting rights to those who resided on the island before 1998 and their descendants, to prevent the indigenous population from becoming a minority.

On May 13, protests began in response to a French constitutional reform that would marginalize the indigenous Kanak people in elections. Police and gendarmes were deployed throughout the island to quell the Kanaks' legitimate demands, particularly in the capital, Noumea.

Two days later, the New Caledonia administration banned TikTok and declared a 12-day state of emergency.

French official sources said seven people were killed and more than 370 people were detained during the unrest.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul