Macron suspends electoral reform in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the suspension of controversial electoral reform in New Caledonia following a series of deadly riots in the French Pacific territory.

The reforms, which would have led to changes in the electoral law, are feared by the indigenous Kanak, who believe they would lead to further marginalization.

This problem has led to the worst outbreaks of violence in the archipelago in decades.

The violence flared up on May 13 in response to attempts by the Macron government to change the French constitution and alter electoral rolls in New Caledonia.

France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory on May 15 and immediately deployed hundreds of reinforcements to help police quell the uprising, which was marked by shootings, clashes, looting and arson.

Both sides of the bitter divide in New Caledonia – the indigenous Kanaks who want independence and the French loyalists – erected barricades, either to revolt against the authorities or to protect their homes and property.

Pro-independence protesters erected barricades made of charred vehicles and other rubble and turned parts of the capital Noumea into restricted areas.

“I have decided to suspend the draft constitution on New Caledonia,” Macron said.

“We cannot allow the ambiguities to remain during this period. They must be suspended in order to give full force to the dialogue on the ground and the return to order.”

The French Justice Ministry confirmed on Wednesday the death on June 11 of a 34-year-old man who was injured in an altercation with police on May 29.

An autopsy has been ordered and an investigation into the use of violence by the gendarme involved is underway.

Louis Mapou, President of the Government of New Caledonia, expressed his condolences and called for calm.

“I call for the immediate removal of the barricades and a return to peace,” Mapou said.

The French government has extended the night-time curfew across the entire archipelago until June 17.