France lifts state of emergency in New Caledonia amidst calls for resistance

French President Emmanuel Macron decided to end the state of emergency in New Caledonia on Monday. This decision was made to allow political discussions after violent protests resulted in seven deaths and widespread damage. The state of emergency was lifted at 8 p.m. in Paris, which is 5 a.m. on Tuesday in New Caledonia. The goal is to facilitate meetings between different groups, including the pro-independence movement FLNKS and local leaders, to resolve the conflict peacefully. Macron wanted to remove barricades set up by both Indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and pro-Paris leaders. He believed that removing these barricades was necessary to start meaningful negotiations. Macron visited New Caledonia and announced that additional security forces would be deployed to the region to maintain peace. The pro-independence party leader, Christian Tein, urged supporters to continue their protests against the French government's electoral reforms. The Kanak people feared that these reforms would further marginalize them. Macron stated that the state of emergency could only be lifted if barricades were removed, but Tein insisted on certain conditions before dismantling them. The unrest in New Caledonia stemmed from disagreements over electoral reforms that some feared would dilute the Kanak people's influence. Macron proposed a road map for future negotiations and the possibility of another referendum for the territory. The goal is to find a peaceful solution and restore order in New Caledonia. New Caledonia became a French territory in 1853 and has a complex history of colonization and struggles for independence. The recent events highlight the ongoing tensions between different groups in the region.