Arr mateys, them French be sendin' more lads to quiet the rumblings in New Caledonia. Fair winds!
2024-05-17
Arrr mateys, the French be settin' up a state of emergency in New Caledonia, but fear not, for with reinforcements bein' sent in, the scallywags be thinkin' twice 'bout causin' trouble. The seas be slightly calmer, says the authorities. Aye, the French be keepin' order in their waters.
In the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, there was a slight decrease in violent incidents following the imposition of a state of emergency by President Emmanuel Macron. High Commissioner Louis Le Franc announced stringent measures, including a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. that would be in place for at least 11 days. French military forces were deployed to protect key locations.Exceptions to the curfew included essential personnel and urgent medical travel, with penalties for violations including up to six months in prison. The unrest stemmed from long-standing tensions between Indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and colonizers wanting to remain part of France.Clashes erupted over voting reforms, with concerns raised about access to medical care due to roadblocks. The hospital in Noumea reported a significant decrease in emergency room visits, with staff working tirelessly in a "urban guerrilla situation."Five people, including two police officers, were killed during the protests, with numerous injuries and arrests. Kanak community leaders in Paris appealed for calm and expressed sorrow over the violence in their homeland.