Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia amid deadly unrest and indigenous frustration
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is making a surprise trip to riot-hit New Caledonia, the French Pacific territory that has been gripped by days of deadly unrest and where indigenous people have long sought independence.
“He will go there tonight,” government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot said after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday where the president said he’d decided to make the more than 33,000-kilometer (20,000-mile) round trip himself to the archipelago east of Australia.
Six people have been killed, including two gendarmes, and hundreds of others injured in New Caledonia amid armed clashes, looting and arson, raising new questions about Macron’s handling of France’s colonial legacy.
There have been decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks who seek independence for the archipelago of 270,000 people, and descendants of colonizers and colonists who want to remain part of France.
Related articles
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-22F1 STEM event aims to excite Shanghai's youth in science and tech
A Formula One education program was launched in Shanghai on Wednesday, inspiring China's younger2024-05-22The Timberwolves' Mike Conley wins the NBA Teammate of the Year award for a 2nd time
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley received the NBA Teammate of the Y2024-05-22Steven Stamkos wants to stay with Lightning, and team wants its career scoring leader to stay
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steven Stamkos wants to hoist the Stanley Cup again with the Tampa Bay Lightning.2024-05-22Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts leaves game against Braves with shoulder injury
ATLANTA (AP) — San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts injured his left shoulder and was rem2024-05-22Alaska Senate passes budget differing from House version with roughly $1,580 payments to residents
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska residents would receive checks of around $1,580 this year under the ver2024-05-22
atest comment