New Caledonia separatists defy French road blockade

Tensions in riot-torn New Caledonia continue to escalate as separatists refuse to give up road blocks that have brought the Pacific archipelago to a standstill. Despite a significant security operation by French forces, the unrest persists with six dead, including two gendarmes, and hundreds injured.

President Emmanuel Macron is set to convene a meeting of his defence and security council as the situation deteriorates. The violence erupted over French plans to grant voting rights to non-indigenous residents, sparking widespread protests.

The road blocks set up by pro-independence activists have been aggressively dismantled by French security forces, only to be defiantly rebuilt. Amidst the chaos, a resident likened the situation to a post-apocalyptic scenario from “The Walking Dead.”

The airport remains closed, with international flights delayed, as the unrest shows no signs of abating. The conflict stems from longstanding discrimination against indigenous Kanaks, fueling demands for independence.

As the region grapples with significant economic damage and political turmoil, the future of New Caledonia hangs in the balance, with calls for voting reform to be revisited.