Australia, New Zealand Send Evacuation Flights to New Caledonia

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MAY 19 2024

Above: Police put on riot gear as protesters demonstrate against the rise of the far-right in French politics, on April 16, 2022 in Paris, France. Image copyright: Sam Tarling/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated MAY 21 2024

The Facts

Australia and New Zealand sent military planes to New Caledonia to evacuate their respective nationals after the French-ruled Pacific Island witnessed the worst unrest in more than 30 years.
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron will head to New Caledonia on Tuesday, a day after the New Caledonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry claimed that the conflict had a "catastrophic" effect on the economy.
Six people have been killed in riots sparked by the French parliament's decision to approve voting rights in provincial elections for non-indigenous residents who have lived in the archipelago for 10 years or more.

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Giving voting rights to French citizens in New Caledonia dilutes a 1998 accord that limited voting rights, and is akin to betraying Indigenous Kanaks, who make up over 40% of the population. Allowing all residents of the archipelago to vote in local elections will only benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia, further marginalizing indigenous people's voices, and undermining efforts to gain independence from Paris.

France 24

Pro-establishment narrative

The proposed electoral reforms are aimed at upholding democracy in New Caledonia. This violence in the archipelago has been orchestrated by Azerbaijan, which is spreading anti-French propaganda to avenge the French military's support for Armenia. Paris is determined to restore public order and calm, which the Caledonians — who have backed the island remaining part of France in three referendums — deserve.

Sky News