France mobilises police to regain control of New Caledonia airport road

19/5/2024 17:26

        French police trying to restore order in the island territory of New Caledonia after days of deadly unrest have cleared dozens of barricades that had been blocking the main road linking the airport to the capital, Noumea, a French official said on Sunday.
        
        Around 60 barricades that protesters had put up along the 60 km road have been dismantled but the road is not yet open as debris needs to be cleared, which will take several days, the territory's high commissioner, Louis Le Franc, told reporters.
        
        The two main airlines serving New Caledonia have paused flights because of the unrest on the French-ruled South Pacific territory.
        
        Protests erupted last week, sparked by anger among indigenous Kanak people over a constitutional amendment that will change who is allowed to participate in elections, which local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote.
        
        Six people have been killed and the unrest has left a trail of burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops, and road barricades, cutting off access to medicine and food.