French Police Kill Two Kanak Men in New Caledonia, Sparking Outrage as ‘Assassinations’
Tensions have escalated in New Caledonia after French police fatally shot two Kanak men on Thursday morning, with pro-independence groups condemning the incident as “barbaric” and calling for an independent investigation. The shootings occurred just days before a public holiday marking France’s annexation of the Pacific territory, further inflaming local unrest.
The pro-independence movement, FLNKS, described the killings as “summary executions,” criticizing the “humiliating methods” employed by French police. The group emphasized the need for an impartial investigation into what they deemed a severe abuse of power.
The two men were killed in Saint Louis, a village near the capital Noumea, during a standoff with French gendarmerie. The incident adds to a growing death toll, which now stands at 13, following months of unrest triggered by changes to a voting law that the indigenous Kanak population fears will undermine their fight for independence.
According to public prosecutor Yves Dupas, the police operation was aimed at arresting suspects linked to an attempted murder of officers and an armed robbery on the Saint Louis road. The suspects had been subject to a search warrant after months of violent incidents, with nearly 300 shots reported in the area.
Dupas announced two investigations: one focusing on the attempted murder of police officers, and another probing the circumstances of the deaths, which involved the use of force by the elite GIGN police unit.
Union Caledonie secretary general Dominique Fochi warned that the actions of the French police only serve to escalate tensions and delay prospects for a peaceful resolution.
