A demonstration in New Caledonia -

Theo Rouby / AFP

A demonstration gathered this Saturday in Noumea 23,000 people according to the police, 30,000 according to the organizers, to say "stop blockages" and demand "freedom to move".

This “peaceful” march comes after a week of violence marked by roadblocks and blockades led by independence movements hostile to the consortium taking over the nickel plant from the Vale group.

The procession marched in the city center, passing in front of the gates of the High Commission of the Republic, singing

La Marseillaise

and displaying tricolor flags.

The demonstration was organized at the call of the movement Les Loyalistes, which brings together the Future in Confidence (AEC), the main non-independence party, as well as other right-wing parties including the National Rally.

Closed roads

“It is a very good mobilization of the silent majority, the one who wants a Caledonia of peace, which does not want violence or blockage.

There may be political debates (…) but we must never give in to this violence, which has taken Caledonians hostage this week, ”said Virginie Ruffenach, president of the AEC group in Congress.

Senator Pierre Frogier (LR), as well as the president of the local government Thierry Santa and the president of the South province Sonia Backés were also present at this march "in solidarity with the stranded", and particularly those of Mont-Dore whose road which leads to Nouméa has been hampered by roadblocks and counter-dams since the beginning of the week.

Division between loyalists and separatists

Located in the south, this commune, along with that of Yaté, is home to the nickel processing plant of the Brazilian Vale whose sale, announced on Wednesday, to a Caledonian and international consortium including the commodities trader, Trafigura, arouses the anger of the separatists from the FLNKS and Kanak chiefdoms.

It is according to them an operation "of predation of multinationals".

"The Loyalists" and the State, which provides financial aid, are in favor of this takeover project, which allows "to save 3,000 jobs".

After being stormed Thursday by rioters in trucks, which were repulsed by the police, the industrial unit, classified Seveso 2, was evacuated urgently and then shut down.

Given the escalation of violence, Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Overseas Territories, on Friday appealed for dialogue to the FLNKS, which the day before had boycotted a videoconference meeting.

Victor Tutugoro, spokesperson for the independence front political bureau, said on Saturday "to accept the minister's proposal", and indicated that an appointment had been made for "the beginning of next week".

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  • Emmanuel Macron

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