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6 people are dead after recent violence in the French territory of New Caledonia, which has already caused over €200 million in damage.
Since Monday, riots have breaking out all around the island's capital of Noumea, where most of the violence has occurred so far. Following the establishment of a constitutional amendment in Paris of implementing new voting rules in New Caledonia, many residents became extremely unhappy. The new law states that French citizens that have been living in New Caledonia for at least 10 years have the right to vote. Giving voting rights to non-Indigenous citizens of the island would not allow the Indigenous Kanak peoples, who make up about 40% of its population, to continue with their sole vote, leading them to cause these riots as an aggressive protest to the new bill. They have already been segregated and discriminated in the past, as New Caledonia used to be a French penal colony, and the settlers back then had no care for the Indigenous peoples at all. The Kanaks have been voting for New Caledonia's independence for years, but the rest of the population continues to vote to stay under the French government.
The violence has involved burning and blowing up buildings and vehicles, and shootings on the street between different peoples. Over 214 people have been arrested for crimes like arson and looting, which is helping to calm the conflict. Three Indigenous Kanaks were killed this week, along with two French police officers. Another person was killed and two more were left in critical condition after armed individuals fired at each other near a makeshift barricade on a road. Complex barricades have been haphazardly constructed all over the city, blocking important roads, and they are tough to remove because they contain dangerous booby traps. In total, over 60 French officers have been injured as well.
Thankfully, the local police have reported a downturn in violence after the implementation of a curfew, which lasts from 6 pm to 6 am. Thousands of troops are on the way from France for more backup, which will also help to ease the tension in Noumea. However, the situation still has a long way to go.
Adding to the disaster, over 3,200 tourists have been stranded on New Caledonia after this conflict, as the airport has been temporarily shut down. Multiple outside governments, such as Australia, are working with France to try and evacuate their citizens out of there as soon as possible, but the tourists will have to wait. They have reported that they are running out of food and water, and while New Caledonian officials have the supplies, there is no safe way to distribute them. The airport will reopen on Tuesday, giving them an opportunity to leave the island, but they will have to survive on their own until then.
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Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): A problem is a chance for you to do your best. (Duke Ellington)
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In a Sentence: We found ourselves tremendously moved by his apology, which he made without artifice or pretense.
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