France’s overseas territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific are experiencing a surge of unrest, marked by recent violence that has left two men dead in New Caledonia, where security forces were involved, and the imposition of a curfew following riots in Martinique. This escalating situation presents a significant challenge for new center-right Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who has faced difficulties in forming a government after the snap parliamentary elections in June, where no party secured an absolute majority. The unrest underscores the complexities Barnier must navigate as he seeks to stabilize his administration and address the growing tensions in these territories.
Michel Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, submitted his proposed cabinet to President Emmanuel Macron late Thursday, with an official announcement expected on Friday, according to AFP.
In New Caledonia, police killed two men during an overnight operation, as reported by the Noumea prosecutor’s office. The incident occurred in Saint Louis, a stronghold of the independence movement located south of Noumea. Police were searching for approximately a dozen individuals suspected of armed robbery and assaults on security forces.
These recent killings bring the death toll on the Pacific island to 13 since a crisis began, sparked by a controversial voting reform that was suspended in June.
Violence erupted in mid-May in response to France’s proposed voting reforms, which the Indigenous Kanak people believe could undermine their voting power and hinder future independence referendums.
In June, President Macron suspended the proposed voting reforms, but violence has continued in New Caledonia, a key nickel producer. France has deployed thousands of soldiers and police to the archipelago, which has a population of around 270,000 and is nearly 17,000 km (10,600 miles) from Paris. The estimated damage from the unrest has reached $2.4 billion.
Meanwhile, in Martinique, the prefect has imposed a nighttime curfew in response to violence in certain districts of Fort-de-France and Le Lamentin. The curfew, effective Wednesday, will remain in place until at least September 23, from 9 PM to 5 AM, amid ongoing protests over the high cost of living on the island, which has a population of 350,000.
On Friday, damaged cars blocked streets across Martinique, while burned debris was scattered in traffic. Taxi drivers joined the demonstrations as frustration mounted.
Activist Rodrigue Petitot told Al Jazeera that residents are protesting sharply rising costs, with food prices about 30 percent higher than in France. Fellow activist Gladys Roger highlighted the plight of many families facing extreme poverty, struggling to provide adequate meals for their children.
“The problem has persisted for too long; it’s time for concrete solutions,” Roger stated. The unrest follows protests that began in early September over increasing prices, and the prefect of Martinique, Jean-Christophe Bouvier, reported that authorities have made 15 arrests.
Eleven police officers were injured by gunfire, along with three rioters who also sustained injuries.
