Australia and New Zealand sent planes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to bring home their citizens. This comes after violent clashes in the French South Pacific territory. Many indigenous people in New Caledonia want independence from France.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia got permission from French authorities to send two flights to evacuate their citizens. A Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules plane, which can carry 124 passengers, landed in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.
Wong said on social media that more flights are being planned. There are about 300 Australians in New Caledonia. It’s not clear if the flights will also evacuate other foreign nationals.
We’ve received clearance for two Australian Government assisted-departure flights today for Australian and other tourists to depart New Caledonia.@dfat is contacting registered Australians. Passengers are being prioritised based on need.
We continue to work on further flights.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) May 21, 2024
New Zealand also sent a plane to New Caledonia to bring back about 50 of its citizens. New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said that getting New Zealanders home has been a top priority. Peters added that they are working with France and Australia on more flights in the coming days.
Noumea’s international airport is closed to commercial flights. Authorities will decide on Thursday whether it can reopen. Since last week, violence in New Caledonia has caused six deaths and hundreds of injuries. About 270 suspected rioters have been arrested. There is now a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the 270,000 residents.
France has sent over a thousand security personnel to New Caledonia to control the unrest, with hundreds more arriving soon.
Armed clashes, looting, and arson have turned parts of Noumea into dangerous areas. Smoke from burning buildings and cars filled the sky, and many businesses have been damaged.
ALSO READ: “New Caledonia Protests: Roadblocks Erected as French Police Reinforcements Arrive”
Tensions in New Caledonia have been ongoing for decades. The indigenous Kanaks want independence, while descendants of colonizers want to stay with France. The recent violence started on May 13 when the French legislature discussed changes to New Caledonia’s voter lists.
A new bill allows residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections. Opponents believe this change will favor pro-France politicians and further marginalize the Kanaks, who have faced discrimination and segregation in the past.
The situation in New Caledonia remains tense. Australia and New Zealand are working to bring their citizens home safely, while France is trying to restore order. The conflict highlights the deep-rooted issues between the indigenous population and the descendants of colonizers.
Comments