France has implemented a state of emergency in New Caledonia, a territory in the Pacific Islands, amid ongoing unrest following Paris’s proposed changes to provincial election rules.

The violence, which erupted earlier in the week resulting in three Indigenous Kanak individuals and a police officer killed, persists despite a curfew.

With the state of emergency now in effect, authorities possess broad search and arrest powers.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the deployment of approximately 1,000 additional security personnel to reinforce the 1,700 already present on the ground.

He described the situation as intolerable, marked by looting, riots, arson, and assaults.

The office of the high commissioner in New Caledonia reported five individuals placed under house arrest for allegedly inciting violence, with ongoing efforts to quell disturbances through arrests and searches.

Efforts to restore public order are underway, as authorities aim to protect the population and stabilize the situation, Al-Jazeera has reported.

David Guyenne, president of the New Caledonia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed support for the state of emergency, citing the detrimental impact of protests on the local economy.

He emphasized the need to return to the rule of law and hoped for a swift resolution with increased military deployment. The state of emergency is set to last for 12 days.

Written by B.C. Begley