France dispatched an anti-riot police unit, previously banned for 65 years, to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where people have protested against government restrictions on demonstrations.

The unit arrived this weekend following a statement from the local representative of France's central government, which declared that protests were prohibited in the municipalities of Fort-de-France, Le Lamentin, Ducos, and Le Robert until Monday. A curfew was also implemented.

These restrictions were enacted after violent protests erupted last week over the high cost of living, resulting in injuries to at least six police officers and one civilian from gunfire.

Officials claimed that the bans were intended “to put an end to the violence and damage committed at gatherings, as well as to the numerous obstacles to daily life and freedom of movement that penalize the entire population, particularly at weekends.”

However, the measure was met with widespread defiance, as thousands took to the streets for peaceful protests on Saturday night. Local media footage shows large crowds marching along highways, drumming and waving flags throughout the night.

As the peaceful protests continued, the French anti-riot police force arrived on the island and took up residence in a hotel in Fort-de-France on Sunday. The exact number of officers sent was not immediately clear.

Dive deeper 

The elite unit, known as the Companies for Republican Security, had been banned in the French territory since the violent riots of December 1959.

This unit faced accusations of using disproportionate force against protesters, which resulted in the deaths of several young demonstrators. While the force is rarely deployed in French Caribbean territories, it was called upon during riots and strikes in Guadeloupe in 2009.

Martinique’s leaders requested the deployment of the anti-riot forces amid the recent protests, marking a historic shift for the island, though it has faced strong opposition from some residents.

Beatrice Bellay, a representative of the socialist party on the island, criticized the decision, stating, “Martinique is not in a civil war, it is a social war.” She urged for an “open and transparent dialogue” between protesters and the government.

In a statement on Sunday, she added that “this measure ... only serves to aggravate tensions and distract attention from the legitimate demands of the people of Martinique."

A flashback

Last year, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin promised to address the issue of companies exploiting their market position to raise prices. However, residents continue to struggle to make ends meet.

Rodrigue Petitot, leader of the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources, emphasized, "The priority of the protest is to ensure people are able to afford food."

Shazi Chalon, the business and cultural attaché for the St. Lucia consulate in Martinique, pointed out, “There are other grievances at the heart of the protest," noting that many see a disparity in how France manages Martinique, particularly regarding leadership roles: "In a majority-Black country, all of the people who hold the highest positions here … are from France."

Chalon, who has dual citizenship in St. Lucia and Martinique, expressed concern about the lasting effects of historical inequalities. “You have the local white population who, some of them whose grandparents and ancestors, way back to slavery days, owned plantations, who … today wield most of the economic power in Martinique, and own most of the agricultural land, own most of the business sector as well," he stated.

Why it matters

The issue of independence is gaining momentum in France's overseas territories, reflecting the historical legacy of colonialism.

These territories, constituting 18% of French land and home to 2.6 million people, are diverse in their political statuses and geographic locations, spread across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

Several challenges plague these territories, including socioeconomic issues and grievances regarding infrastructure and security services provided by the French administration.

Consequently, there's a growing demand for increased autonomy and even independence.

Read next: France grapples with rising calls for independence from colonies