28 Jun 2024

Uncertainty and delays fueling New Caledonia unrest

From , 6:01 am on 28 June 2024
A Gendarmerie armored vehicle drives past the filtering roadblock set up on the bays, Promenade Pierre Vernier, in Noumea on May 15, 2024, amid protests linked to a debate on a constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate for upcoming elections of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. One person was killed, hundreds more were injured, shops were looted and public buildings torched during a second night of rioting in New Caledonia, authorities said May 15, as anger over constitutional reforms from Paris boiled over. (Photo by Delphine Mayeur / AFP)

A Gendarmerie armored vehicle drives past the filtering roadblock set up on the bays, Promenade Pierre Vernier, in Noumea. Photo: AFP / Delphine Mayeur

In New Caledonia, uncertainty continue to hamper efforts to return the French Territory to normalcy amid a snap election, which polls in France suggest will be a tight race.

Last week's arrests and indictment of pro-independence leaders, who are awaiting trial as prisoners in France has sparked even more unrest in Noumea and other provincial centres. 

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins spoke with Islands Business journalist Nic Maclellan, who has been following developments in New Caledonia and explained what could happen if there is no clear election winner.