France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia following deadly riots

France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia on Wednesday after lawmakers in Paris voted in favour of a bill allowing French residents who have lived in the territory to vote in provincial elections, prompting deadly riots in the region.

Government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot said the declaration, which will come into force at 8 p.m., was “precisely to bring back calm and serenity.”

The unrest in New Caledonia resulted in the deaths of three young Indigenous Kanak, according to one official.

Supporters of New Caledonia’s independence fear the move allowing residents to vote in provincial elections will dilute the vote of Indigenous Kanak.

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