Comment on France mobilises police to regain control of New Caledonia airport road
gramie@lemmy.ca 5 months ago
You should be aware that the people who have been rioting and burning are French citizens, but they are actually the local people of New Caledonia, known as Kanaks. There have been three referenda to decide whether the island should declare independence from France, all of which failed. The separatists, after losing three times, have been trained and assisted by Azerbaijan, who are angry at France’s support of Armenia.
Source: I have a family member on New Caledonia.
BrikoX@lemmy.zip 5 months ago
That’s partially correct. The first 2 referendums were lost by a few %, and the last was boycotted since it was held during the pandemic and when Kanaks asked to delay it since it would disproportionately affect them, France refused. France will do anything not to lose the territory, since it’s strangely important to them.
The whole point of the new voting law they are protesting is that any subsequent vote would be stacked in France’s favor, since local population is already diluted to around 50%.
gramie@lemmy.ca 5 months ago
Is it strategically important? They have a very small military presence there (less than 2000 normally), no Naval Base, and the nickel mines are in the process of shutting down and leaving, partially because of severe problems obtaining adequate electric power.
I’m also unsure why non-native people who have lived on New Caledonia for more than 10 years should be excluded from having a say in the government of the island, given that most of them are French and the island did not choose independence.
I can understand why the Kanaks do want keep the control they have, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they should.