The state of emergency declared in New Caledonia is expected to end at 5 am tomorrow, according to a statement from France's Elysée Palace on Monday.
The unrest, which began on May 13, has resulted in the deaths of seven people, the arrest of hundreds, and the destruction of numerous buildings and vehicles across the French Pacific territory.
The confrontation further escalated last Friday when a policeman shot and killed a protester, just a day after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit aimed at calming tensions.
The riots erupted in response to the French government's proposal to grant voting rights in provincial elections to residents who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years. Currently, only individuals who lived in New Caledonia before 1998 and their descendants are eligible to vote, a rule established under the 1998 Nouméa Accord to provide fair representation for the Indigenous Kanak population, who comprise about 40% of the territory's residents due to the systematic dilution efforts of France.
President Macron has indicated that an agreement on the voting reforms must be reached by June. The Elysée Palace's decision not to renew the state of emergency signals Paris' intent to de-escalate the situation and create conditions conducive to dialogue.
New Caledonia's main pro-independence political coalition, FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), emphasized the need for a political and non-repressive solution in a statement on Saturday, advocating for the easing of tensions.
In an effort to restore order, France has deployed thousands of gendarmes and other security personnel to the island. An additional 480 gendarmes were announced on Saturday, bringing the total number of French security forces in New Caledonia to approximately 3,500.
Macron reiterated that lifting the roadblocks, which have hindered movement and the supply of essential goods across the island, is a prerequisite for initiating concrete and serious negotiations.
Christian Tein, a leader from the Field Action Coordination Cell (CCAT), which organized the roadblocks, stated on Friday that the group remains "mobilized" and committed to maintaining their resistance in a structured and organized manner.
A nationwide curfew from 6 pm to 6 am has been in effect since the state of emergency was declared. There has been no indication whether the curfew will be lifted along with the state of emergency.
