Stories by Patrick Decloitre

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

A scientific study on shark presence and behaviour is to resume shortly in New Caledonia's Southern Province, where two incidents in February last year prompted an indiscriminate culling campaign.

Analysis - The Constitutional Bill has been at the centre of growing tensions in New Caledonia.

With a strong emphasis on the "FRANZ" trilateral alliance, ANZAC Day was commemorated throughout the French Pacific and in mainland France late last week.

A round-up of news in brief from the French Pacific region, including New Caledonia's pro-French party, Rassemblement, electing its first Kanak president.

Analysis - The signing of a controversial cooperation agreement between New Caledonia's Congress and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan has fuelled more tensions.

A round-up of news in brief from the French Pacific region, including the arrest of a French Polynesian dancer on drug charges.

The French-proposed "pact" to salvage New Caledonia's beleaguered nickel industry is still in limbo as the local Congress has decided to re-examine the whole document through a "special committee".