Reinforcements of police officers and gendarmes have been sent to New Caledonia to deal with the tense situation on the island

Gérald Darmanin shared a video of their arrival on his X account, emphasising the importance of firmness and the restoration of republican order. Earlier in the day, Gabriel Attal also announced that almost 1,000 additional internal security personnel would be deployed to the island, in addition to the 1,700 already on the island.

Shortages in New Caledonia’s shops: residents in difficulty

The riots that led to the destruction and looting of numerous businesses in New Caledonia have left residents in a precarious situation, with an increased risk of shortages. In the Noumea area, queues for supplies are getting longer and longer, leaving shop shelves almost empty.

The situation is critical in many of Nouméa’s shops, where shelves are emptying fast. Residents are facing hours-long waits for basic necessities, highlighting the devastating impact of the violence on people’s daily supplies.

At the centre of debate since the start of the riots in New Caledonia, the Cellule de coordination des actions de terrain (CCAT) has been the subject of controversy

Since the start of the unrest in New Caledonia, the CCAT has been at the centre of criticism. The CCAT brings together the main pro-independence groups, but has been described as ‘rogue’ by the French high commissioner and as a ‘mafia-style organisation’ by the interior minister, Gérald Darmanin. Around ten of its members have been placed under house arrest.

Comprising political representatives, trade unionists and pro-independence activists from New Caledonia, the CCAT was set up at the end of 2023 with the main aim of informing the population and mobilising it against the reform of the electoral body. In recent months, it has organised demonstrations as the vote has approached. In April, the CCAT peacefully claimed to have 50,000 people in the streets. However, with only ten days to go before the vote in the Assembly, the CCAT’s demonstrations, dubbed ‘10 days Kanaky’, degenerated into blockades, blockades and damage, the precursors of the recent chaotic events.

900 million Chinese and me and me…

China is keeping a close eye on the escalating violence affecting all the islands of New Caledonia. For some time now, Beijing has been keeping a close eye on the political struggles between supporters of remaining part of France and independence fighters, in the hope of replacing France.

Chinese manoeuvres under the mask of Sino-Caledonian friendship

The Chinese government sees support for the New Caledonian independence movement as an opportunity to gain advantages in return. To this end, Beijing has put in place a strategy to infiltrate the government by creating the Sino-Caledonian Friendship Association, headed by the former chief of staff of Kanak independence leader Roch Wamytan. China’s actions have been methodical and discreet. In 2017, just before the self-determination referendums in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the Chinese ambassador to France even assessed the archipelago’s needs with the Caledonian elected representatives.

However, despite Chinese efforts, the majority of Caledonians rejected independence

Suspicions of Chinese interference were so strong in 2018 that the French government took a clear stance in favour of the loyalist camp, violating its duty of impartiality imposed by the Nouméa Accords. Faced with this subtle manipulation by Beijing, Paris reacted firmly by attempting to reform the electoral body. This response was seen as a provocation by the New Caledonian pro-independence faction, but Beijing remains quietly patient, waiting for the right moment.