#Imperialism
Why the French authorities have so much interest in keeping #NewCaledonia under French colonial rule?
Global nickel prices have soared since deadly violence erupted in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia last week.
The overseas territory, which has been under French rule for over 170 years, is a major global producer of the critical material that is needed to make electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, steel and other everyday items.
There have long been tensions between the Paris government and pro-independence voices among the indigenous #Kanak population in New Caledonia, colonised in the second half of the 19th century and part of French overseas territories spanning the globe. Antonia Kerrigan explains #France#NewCaledonia#Pacific #SouthPacific
President Emmanuel #Macron on Wednesday flew to France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia on a politically risky visit aiming to defuse a crisis after nine days of riots that have killed six people and injured hundreds. Tom Canetti looks at how the South Pacific territory plays a major role in France's military and diplomatic policy. #NewCaledonia#France#Kanak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5lLZueFgH0
As Macron heads to New Caledonia in an attempt to quell a political crisis that led to deadly riots, David Camroux, Senior Research Fellow at Sciences Po CERI, explains that the French desire to hang on to New Caledonia is stronger than in the past as the waters around the territory make France the second largest maritime power in the world. He spoke to FRANCE 24's Tom Burges Watson #NewCaledonia#France#riots
A French draft law, passed Monday, would let citizens vote in local elections after 10 years' residency in New Caledonia, prompting opposition from independence activists worried it will dilute the representation of indigenous people. The violent demonstrations that have ensued in the South Pacific island of 270,000 have killed at least five people and injured hundreds.
In response to the protests, the government suspended the popular video-sharing app — owned by Beijing-based ByteDance and favored by young people — as part of state-of-emergency measures alongside the deployment of troops and an initial 12-day curfew.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal didn’t detail the reasons for shutting down the platform. The local telecom regulator began blocking the app earlier on Wednesday."
#France admits it’s lost control of parts of #NewCaledonia, the world’s third-largest producer of critical EV metal nickel
The French government is moving to regain full control of the Pacific territory of New Caledonia, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said, as extra security forces arrive in the archipelago to end a week of violent protests by pro-independence groups.
Le Franc said new security deployments, after French President Emmanuel Macron’s government declared a state of emergency, would help reassert control following violence that left behind burned cars, torched stores and improvised barricades along roads.
PS. It's truly disgusting to see them refer to a country only based on their export./Farhad
Kanaks (the indigenous peoples of New Caledonia) are revolting against French colonialism, and the French govt is blocking access to tiktok in an attempt to stop them organising and posting about what's happening.
"Why did France ban TikTok?
As we mentioned, France gave an order to block access to TikTok across the island as part of a state of emergency declaration. Other measures also include the deployment of French troops to secure ports and international airports, alongside a national curfew.
This harsh response came as a reaction to three days of violent clashes that left four dead (including a French gendarme) and hundreds wounded. As Politico reported, protests erupted as French lawmakers passed a bill to change the voting system by allowing all citizens residing on the island for more than 10 years to vote in local elections. New Caledonia's indigenous population, the Kanaks, believes this law will ultimately weaken their representation."
#France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of #NewCaledonia after clashes broke out between authorities and pro-independence protesters. At least four people have already been killed. Three of whom were Indigenous people, and the fourth was a French gendarme.
Protesters have been seen carrying heavy firearms, with reports of live rounds being fired at police.
Multiple buildings have been set on fire, and several supermarkets have been looted. White French residents have also formed armed groups to confront the Indigenous protesters.
Under the state of emergency, French authorities have imposed a curfew, banned #TikTok, closed schools, and placed restrictions on movement.
They have also deployed an additional 500 police officers, adding to the 1,800 police and gendarmes already on the island.
Protests erupted after French President Emmanuel #Macron introduced plans to reform New Caledonia’s electoral system, which would grant more French residents in the territory voting rights. Protesters believe this would unfavorably shift political representation in the country. The Pacific archipelago, home to the Indigenous #Kanak people, is rich in minerals and has been under French control since 1853.
Rioting broke out over a bill adopted by the #FrenchParliament in #Paris on Tuesday that will let non-Caledonian French who have lived in #NewCaledonia for 10 years vote in #ProvincialElections – a move some local leaders say will dilute the indigenous #Kanak vote.
#FrenchPolice reinforcements have started arriving in New Caledonia as part of a massive operation to regain control of the capital #Noumea.
#Rioters angry with an #ElectoralReform have burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops and set up road barricades over three days, cutting off access to medicine and food, authorities said.
#France’s government says it has no doubt that #Azerbaijan is stirring tensions in #NewCaledonia, despite the vast geographical and cultural distance between the Caspian country and the French Pacific territory.
Hundreds of French police deployed amid #NewCaledonia riots. A state of emergency has been imposed for 12 days and authorities have banned the video app #TikTok.
New Caledonia: Kanak revolt confronts French state and settler militias - Freedom News (freedomnews.org.uk)
The revolt started a week ago in the south Pacific territory, after a series of disputed independence referenda.