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.
Scottie Scheffler's Louisville court date postponed after arrest during PGA Championship
People visit lantern show ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year in Malaysia
His latest dish! James Martin, 51, is arm
Light decorations seen before Chinese Lunar New Year in Macao
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
76ers play their season finale without All
Story of bear brothers manifest evolution of Chinese animation
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week
IF starring Ryan Reynolds lands at the top of a lackluster box office with less
People across China enjoy festive events to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year