New Caledonia

In May, 2024, deadly violence erupted in New Caledonia, after Paris approves a constitutional amendment, sparking tensions over voting rights and France's role in the island.

At least three deaths occur in protests against a constitutional amendment allowing recent arrivals to vote in provincial elections.
New Caledonia, located in the South Pacific, has a diverse population, including Kanak indigenous people and French settlers.
The territory holds strategic importance for France's influence in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly amid geopolitical tensions between China and the United States.
History with France includes colonization in the 19th century, followed by tensions and conflicts between Paris and Kanak independence movements.
The 1998 Nouméa Accord aimed at gradual autonomy, restricting voting to pre-1998 residents, leading to recent tensions over electoral reforms.
Macron's plan to increase French influence in the Pacific faces resistance, prompting talks for a negotiated settlement to address voting rights issues.