The French authorities announced the sending of another 600 soldiers to New Caledonia, to regain control of a road that connects the capital of the overseas territory with the airport.
The French authorities announced on Saturday night the sending more than 600 people of security forces to New Caledonia, to regain control of a road that connects the capital of the overseas territory with the airport.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said it will be launched a “big operation” which involves more than 600 employees, of which 100 belong to the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), elite police and gendarmerie troops.
In a message published on the social network [a capital] Noumeah and the airport”, as well as “reestablish the republican order”.
The announcement was made three days after 1,000 French security forces arrived on the Pacific island to reduce tension following unrest that killed five people and led to the arrest of 200 people. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed on Thursday that More than 1,700 gendarmes were already in the territory..
The incidents in New Caledonia worsened on Monday, after the presentation a new bill adopted in Paris, which determines that French residents who have lived in the archipelago for ten years will be able to vote in local elections. Local political leaders fear that New Caledonian forces will be weakened by the new measure.
Source: Observadora
