France’s Macron delays New Caledonia voting reform after protests
Al Jazeera
President Emmanuel Macron meets political leaders on French-ruled Pacific island, says changes won’t be implemented ‘by force’.
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will delay a voting reform in New Caledonia that the Indigenous Kanak people on the French-ruled Pacific islands say would dilute their votes and undermine their struggle for independence.
Speaking on Thursday in New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea, after meeting local political leaders, Macron said his ultimate aim still was to sign the measure into law but only if peace returned and a broader pact on the island’s future could be forged.
“I am committed to ensuring that this reform will not be implemented by force,” he said in front of the French High Commission building.
Six people, including three young Kanaks, have been killed and about 280 people arrested since protests broke out a week and a half ago over the plans that would allow thousands more French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years or more to vote.
Paris says the measure is needed to improve democracy. Almost a quarter of the population identifies as European, mainly French.
Could this be the moment Africa breaks its dependency on foreign energy?
A breakdown of the intercontinental tournament that will determine two of the last six teams to qualify for the World Cup 2026.
Growing US military presence around Iran suggests shift from air campaign to potential ground operations.
Censorship and unity in the face of the Iranian threat combine to stifle dissent as Israel’s war with Iran drags on.
A California judge says the defence department may be ‘attempting to cripple Anthropic’ for pushing for restrictions on AI weapons.
Israel has been trying to make the case for its war on Iran by portraying the country as a threat to European cities.
With his time at Liverpool, and apparently the world’s most elite league, coming to an end, what is left to drive Salah?
GCC states, UN rights chief Volker Turk warn of grave repercussions amid war on Iran.