Unrest in New Caledonia may be provoked by Azerbaijan

About 1,000 police have been deployed in Paris to suppress the riots. Riots started in New Caledonia on Tuesday Following new reforms of the electoral roll introduced by the French government, the region is home to 270,000 inhabitants since the mid-19th century and whose indigenous population has long been demanding independence.

French officers inside New Caledonia And the interior ministry in Paris said more than five people had died since Monday, including two police officers. Two members of the indigenous Kanak community were also killed.

High Commissioner Louis Le Franc on Friday announced strict measures under a state of emergency, which will remain in effect for at least 11 days, with a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew. French military forces were deployed to protect ports and airports and free police troops.

“exceptions to curfew This includes essential public service workers, urgent medical travel and essential nighttime activities,” Le Franc said.

Violation of curfew can result in a jail sentence of up to six months. And a fine, added the French diplomat appointed to administer the territory.

There has been tension between them for decades Kanak, who wants freedom

and the descendants of the settlers, who want the island to remain part of France.

People of European descent in New Caledonia, which long served as a penal colony of France and is now a strategic french military base

Distinguish between the descendants of the settlers and those who dominated the prisoners forcibly sent to the area.

Le Franc announced that reinforcements would focus on gaining control of the areas of the regional capital, Noumea, including parts of Camère, Montréal and La Vallée du Tir.

Thousands of police and soldiers arrived in New Caledonia

The streets are littered with debris and armoured vehicles are patrolling the roads. This is the worst outbreak of violence in New Caledonia Since the 1980s, the palm-lined avenues in Nouméa have turned into battlefields.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that about 1,000 additional troops would be sent to New Caledonia, in addition to the 1,700 already present, and that officials would insist on “harsh penalties for rioters and looters.”

During this, French government banned TikTok Because he believed the social network was being used by protesters, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. The company that owns the social platform described the measure as “regrettable.”

Noumea hospital representative Thierry de Greslan expressed concern over the worsening situation caused by road blockages in the city.

“Our estimate is that three or Four people may have died due to lack of medical care” said de Greslan, who is also concerned about the 50 dialysis patients who have not been able to get their treatment. The latest figures as of Saturday, May 18, show 6 deaths.

The number of emergency room visits has decreased significantly Recently reduced by 50% And on Thursday it decreased by 80%.

“We are in one urban guerrilla situation Every night with gunshot wounds,” de Greslan said.

Hospital operating rooms are open 24 hoursAnd although staff are prepared for immediate crises, de Greslan has expressed concern about the future.

“We are prepared to deal with this situation, but I am concerned about the re-impact on patients who are not receiving care and are under extreme stress,” he said.

Native community is against change in voter list

French lawmakers approved amendments to the French Constitution on Tuesday Will allow residents who have lived in the islands for 10 years to vote in provincial elections, Supporters of independence argue that this change would further marginalize the Kanak community, which represents about 40% of the population.

The reform of the electoral roll must still be approved by a joint session of both houses of the French Parliament. Macron has indicated to legislators They will vote on adopting the constitutional amendment at the end of JuneUnless the warring parties in New Caledonia reach a new agreement.

A video conference scheduled for Thursday between Macron and New Caledonian representatives was canceled because “the different actors did not want to talk to each other,” his presidential office said.

Meanwhile, authorities have detained about 200 of the approximately 5,000 rioters and security forces have arrested them. house arrest Five alleged pro-independence activists were accused of organizing the violence. 64 security forces agents are among the injured,

Azerbaijani intervention?

French Interior Minister Azerbaijan accused of interference Following visits by several independence leaders, the Baku government denied the allegation.

In an interview with a French television channel, Darmanin said that “this is not a fantasy, but a reality”. New Caledonian independence leaders have reached “an agreement” with Azerbaijan,

The minister also emphasized this The French government does not allow others to interfere in its country’s territories,

“Even if there are attempts to intervene…France is sovereign on its own territory,” Darminin said.

Azerbaijani diplomat rejected the allegation and issued a statement in which they described Darmanin’s statement as “baseless” anda smear campaign,

“We deny any connections between the leaders of the liberation struggle of Caledonia and Azerbaijan,” he stressed.

RRelations between France and Azerbaijan They have been tough for some time. France is home to a large Armenian diaspora and has adopted Tough stance against Azerbaijan When he attempted to regain control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2023, thousands of Armenians were forced to flee.

France’s position on the conflict was outlined in a statement issued by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry following Darminin’s remarks.

“one more time, We strongly condemn the insulting expressions of the French side against Azerbaijan And we call for an end to the smear campaign against Azerbaijan with unacceptable accusations such as the genocide of the Armenian people,” the statement reads.

“It would be more appropriate for the French Interior Minister to recall the history of his country, which has committed crimes against humanity against local people and has brutally murdered millions of innocent people as part of its colonial policy Followed for many years. Furthermore, instead of accusing Azerbaijan of allegedly supporting pro-independence protests in New Caledonia, the French Interior Minister should focus on His country’s unsuccessful policy towards foreign areas Due to which these protests took place. “We once again ask France to stop making baseless accusations against our country.”