French troops to remain in N. Caledonia 'as long as necessary': Macron
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After departing from Paris in his presidential jet on May 21, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Caledonia today.
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French President Emmanuel Macron talks to a policeman upon his arrival at the central police station in Noumea, New Caledonia, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP)
Ahead of a meeting with officials in Noumea in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia, French President Emmanuel Macron said today that the 3,000 French "security reinforcements" that have been deployed to quell the protests in New Caledonia "will stay as long as necessary, even during the Olympic Games" in Paris.
Macron said that as long as roadblocks were removed, he does not support extending a state of emergency.
As he arrived at La Tontouta International Airport, around 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Noumea, New Caledonia's capital, the French President said that his main priority is a "return to calm."
"My wish, along with that of my ministers and the government, is to be alongside the people and see a return to peace, calm, and security as soon as possible," he expressed.
His visit, set to last one day, will permit him to see the situation in New Caledonia first-hand, and he is set to ask local leaders to resume talks.
Macron initially departed from Paris in his presidential jet on May 21, however, due to the distance and time difference between the Pacific territory and France, he arrived alongside his interior and defense ministers this morning.
France to curb New Caledonia independence protests 'whatever the cost'
French forces dismantled numerous barricades in an effort to regain control of the main road to New Caledonia's airport, as a senior official stated on May 19 that Paris is determined to reclaim the entire Pacific territory from independence advocates "whatever the cost."
After six nights of violence that have left six dead and hundreds injured, French government high commissioner Louis Le Franc warned in a televised address that new raids on independence strongholds would be staged.
"Republican order will be re-established whatever the cost," Le Franc said, adding that if separatists "want to use their arms, they will be risking the worst."
New Caledonia, with a population of about 270,000, has been rocked by unrest since May 13, sparked by French plans to impose new rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.
Angry protesters against the plans have set vehicles, businesses, and public buildings on fire and taken control of the main road to La Tontouta International Airport, which has been closed to commercial flights.
Authorities say about 230 people have been detained while an estimated 3,200 people are either stuck in New Caledonia or unable to return to the archipelago.
Some 600 heavily armed police and paramilitaries took part in an operation on May 19 to retake the 60-kilometer (40-mile) main road from the capital Noumea to the airport, authorities said.
Forces with armored vehicles "broke through" around 60 barricades on the road with only minor clashes, Le Franc mentioned.
The highway is needed to restore supply chains as the archipelago faces shortages of items from groceries to blood for transfusions. "We are starting to run short of food," the official warned.
