Stories by Patrick Decloitre

A round-up of news in brief from the French Pacific region, including "Marara" military exercise in French Polynesia that "illustrates France's commitment to security and stability in the Pacific.

Most of the incumbent MPs for the French Pacific have announced they will run again.

During a press conference in Paris, the French President mentioned all of the now-dissolved National Assembly's "pending projects".

The French Constitution says all pending bills left unvoted by the Lower House are cancelled because the dissolution signifies the end of the legislature and therefore of the current ordinary session.

The pause comes ahead of pro-independence protesters' national Congress, where they will seek a common stance on the riots.

Only a limited number of international flights will be operational, in what AirCalin terms as a "light" and "modified" schedule.

This is after a disturbing video was posted in a neighbourhood watch Facebook group, allegedly implicating them in acts of severe violence against a person they had just arrested.

In-depth - New Caledonia has been the scene of deadly and destructive riots since 13 May 2024.

The state of emergency ended at 5am on Tuesday, Nouméa time.

Analysis - Macron departed after a whirlwind day of political meetings, but left behind 3000 security personnel and some members of his entourage.

President Emmanuel Macron landed in Nouméa Thursday morning under heavy security. He says his top priority is for the French Pacific territory to return to peace.

Analysis - Emmanuel Macron is expected to land in Nouméa against a backdrop of strong polarisation between pro-independence and pro-French parties.

French President Emmanuel Macron will fly to New Caledonia

This high-level dialogue mission could involve members of both Houses of French parliament. Audio

Analysis: A police crackdown will be followed by a "dialogue mission" to help heal the wounds in the South Pacific territory. Video

Food rationing is in place, and hundreds more police, army and firefighters are on the streets in an effort to regain control of Nouméa.

"We just can't go on like this... we are killing ourselves," minister pleads.

The number of guns circulating in the community - despite a government ban - is a major problem as unrest continues. Audio

Four people are dead due to the unrest and violence in the capital Noumea.

A group belonging to the pro-independence movement has released a communiqué saying they were "moved by and deplored the exactions and violence taking place". Audio

Analysis - The situation in New Caledonia, especially Nouméa, remained tense throughout Tuesday, with scenes of burning, shooting and looting in hot points of the capital and its surroundings.

New Caledonia has gone through another day of tensions, a few hours ahead of a vote in Paris's National Assembly on a government-tabled Constitutional amendment.

A round-up of news in brief from the French Pacific region, including New Caledonia's power supply in "critical situation".

Analysis - On Tuesday, the French National Assembly (Lower House) law committee was debating the value of the proposed constitutional amendment to alter the rules of eligibility to vote at local…

A round-up of news in brief from the French Pacific region, including a protest in New Caledonia to support a senior Kanak journalist who has come under heavy criticism on social media