Australia and New Zealand have initiated efforts to evacuate citizens stranded in the violence-hit region of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, confirmed that they had received clearance from French authorities for two evacuation flights from the archipelago. The Royal Australian Air Force sent a C-130 Hercules plane to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, with the capacity to carry 124 passengers. This move comes in response to the ongoing unrest in the region, where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Australia stated that there were approximately 300 Australians currently in New Caledonia, but it was not immediately clear if the evacuation efforts would also include other foreign nationals stranded in the region. Meanwhile, New Zealand also sent a plane to New Caledonia to begin evacuating around 50 of its citizens. The Foreign Affairs Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, emphasized that bringing their citizens home was a top priority and that they would be working on subsequent flights in the coming days in cooperation with France and Australia.
The violent unrest in New Caledonia has led to at least six deaths and hundreds of injuries since last week, following controversial electoral reforms passed in Paris. Currently, there is a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in place for the archipelago, with over 270 suspected rioters already arrested. The airport in Noumea remains closed to commercial flights, with a reassessment scheduled for Thursday. France has deployed over a thousand security personnel to the region, with more expected to arrive soon, in an attempt to regain control and quell the violence.
The clashes in New Caledonia have resulted in columns of smoke from burning buildings and cars, looting, and arson. The situation has turned parts of Noumea into no-go zones, with businesses and shops being ransacked. The unrest has highlighted the decades-long tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who wish to remain part of France. The violence erupted as the French legislature debated changes to the voter lists in New Caledonia, sparking fears among the Kanak community that the amendments would further marginalize them.
The evacuation efforts by Australia and New Zealand come as part of international efforts to support the restoration of peace in New Caledonia. Both countries have expressed their commitment to assisting their citizens in the region and are working in collaboration with French authorities to facilitate the safe return of stranded individuals. As the situation in New Caledonia continues to evolve, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of all those affected by the ongoing unrest in the region.
