The objective of the national Gendarmerie is to be present on the roads, control the flow of vehicles, fight against insecurity, the French High Commission in New Caledonia said. Photo: X / @HC98800
Fears of potential unrest on New Caledonia's symbolic date of 24 September have prompted stronger restrictions in New Caledonia and the deployment of large numbers of French security personnel.
The date initially marked what France termed the "taking of possession" of New Caledonia, in 1853.
Since 2004, what the pro-independence Kanak movement has been calling for years "a day of mourning" was consensually re-named "Citizenship Day" by the local government, in a move to foster a sense of inclusiveness and common destiny.
But since violent and deadly riots erupted four months ago, on 13 May, the date has been mentioned several times by the pro-independence movement's hard-line party Union Calédonienne (UC).
Since the riots emerged, UC leader Daniel Goa publicly claimed he intended to use the date to declare unilaterally the French Pacific archipelago's independence.
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In prevision to potential trouble, while the overall situation of New Caledonia was slowly returning to some kind of normalcy and despite some pockets of resistance and roadblocks, including in the Greater Nouméa area, the French High commission on Friday announced a package of restrictions, combining the current curfew (10pm to 5am) with new measures.
High Commissioner Louis Le Franc told local media: "There is considerable force to ensure that law and order will prevail... I am being prudent.
"I have asked for reinforcements and I have got them", he told local radio RRB on Friday.
He said it is more than what was ever sent (to New Caledonia) even during the hardest moments of 1984-1988 (when New Caledonia was in a state of insurrectional quasi-civil war).
Le Franc detailed that the security contingent deployed would comprise "almost seven thousand" personnel, including mobile gendarmes, police (to "protect sensitive areas") and military.
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General Nicolas Mathéos, who heads the French gendarmes in New Caledonia, also stressed he was determined.
Speaking on Monday to local TV Caledonia, he said the reinforcements came as the (French) State "has put in every necessary means to ensure this 24 September and the days before that take place in a climate of serenity".
"New Caledonia now needs serenity; it needs to rebuild; it needs to believe in its future after this violent crisis," he said.
"We will be in numbers to hold the territory, to control it, including on the roads, so that this day is a day of peace.
"Because no one wants to go through again the nightmare of May."
The General said reinforcements had already arrived.
"For the gendarmerie, this is almost 40 units mobilised.
"Public order will be maintained, on 24 September, before 24 September and after 24 September."
General Nicolas Mathéos, head of French gendarmes in New Caledonia, speaking to TV Caledonia on 16 September. Photo: Screen capture TV Caledonia
The curfew itself, which had been gradually relaxed over the past few weeks, is now returning to a stricter 6pm-6am duration for the whole of New Caledonia, specifically concerning the 21 to 24 September period (which is also a long weekend).
Additional measures include a ban on all public meetings within Nouméa and its outskirts.
Possession, transportation and sale of firearms, ammunition and alcohol also remain prohibited until 24 September.
Fuel distribution and transportation is subject to restrictions, the French High Commission said in a release on Friday.
High Commissioner Louis Le Franc told local media that the measures were taken due to the current circumstances and the appearance of some posts seen on social media which "call on public order disturbances on 24 September 2024".
"Under those circumstances, a ban on circulation...is a measure that can efficiently prevent disruption of public order," he said.
The restrictions, however, do not apply to persons who can provide evidence that they need to move within the prohibited hours for professional, medical emergency, domestic or international air and sea travel reasons.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation from New Caledonia is scheduled to travel to Paris next week to meet high officials, including the presidents of both Houses of Parliament, French media has reported.
New Caledonia's delegation is scheduled to travel from 23 September to 4 October.