The French Government has announced an evacuation protocol for national tourists in the overseas territory of New Caledonia due to ongoing unrest in the Pacific archipelago. The tensions have been caused by a proposal to extend the right to vote to French residents, which has led to protests and violence in the territory.
To ensure the safety of tourists, they have been transferred to Australia and New Zealand on military planes before returning to France on commercial flights. The government has also provided support measures for foreigners and French tourists since the outbreak of the crisis in New Caledonia.
The territory has been under a state of emergency, with seven reported deaths and hundreds of arrests. France has deployed additional security forces to maintain order and prevent further violence.
The protests erupted in response to proposed electoral reforms that would grant French citizens the right to vote in provincial elections after 10 years of residence in New Caledonia. The indigenous Kanak population, advocating for independence, accused Paris of pushing through the controversial reform without considering their strong opposition among the majority of the territory’s residents.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a visit to New Caledonia that he would pause the reform until a peaceful resolution can be reached and political discussions can resume. The airport in Noumea remains closed, while Australia and New Zealand have also evacuated their residents from other parts of New Caledonia.
The situation is tense, but France is committed to ensuring that its citizens are safe while working towards resolving this complex issue peacefully.
