Again!!! France Also Bans TikTok In Riot Hit New Caledonia
In an unprecedented move, France has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia, deploying troops to strategic locations and banning the popular social media app TikTok, following a surge of violent protests that resulted in four fatalities and left hundreds injured.
The French government’s drastic actions come as a response to escalating tensions since Monday, when demonstrations against proposed voting reforms turned chaotic. The emergency declaration grants sweeping powers to the authorities, including the ability to detain individuals, conduct searches, seize weapons, and enforce movement restrictions, with non-compliance punishable by imprisonment.
This decisive intervention marks the first time since 1985 that France has resorted to such measures in one of its overseas territories. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has taken a firm stance, stating, “No violence will be tolerated,” and emphasizing that the state of emergency is essential to “roll out massive means to restore order.”
The crisis reached a tipping point with the death of a French gendarme, injured during the riots, pushing the death toll to four. The unrest was initially sparked by the National Assembly’s approval of a bill extending voting rights to recent mainland France arrivals for provincial elections – a move feared to disenfranchise the Indigenous population and favor pro-French factions.
President Emmanuel Macron, prioritizing the situation, cancelled a scheduled visit to Normandy to preside over national security discussions. The violence has seen a heavy security deployment, curfews, public gathering bans, and the closure of the main airport.
With over 130 arrests and more than 300 injuries reported, the French High Commission in New Caledonia has vowed to bring rioters to justice, condemning the extensive looting and destruction of property, including schools. Educational activities have been suspended indefinitely, and the airport remains closed to commercial flights.
The heart of the dispute lies in the voting rights reform, with President Macron’s administration labeling the current exclusion of one-fifth of the population from provincial polls as “absurd.” However, separatists argue that the changes could dilute the influence of the Indigenous Kanak people and bolster pro-French sentiment.
As France seeks to maintain its strategic presence in the Pacific, where it competes with China and the United States for influence, the turmoil in New Caledonia poses a significant challenge to its authority in the region.
The unfolding events in New Caledonia have drawn international attention, highlighting the complexities of France’s relationship with its overseas territories and the ongoing debate over self-determination and colonial legacies.
