Wow. And I've been under the impression that this sort of extremely overt, blatant Western colonialism had been basically phased out in the decades after World War II.
It seems like the French colony is pissed as France is trying to allow French citizens who have lived there 10 years voting rights. Honestly, kinda seems justified, but dont know the whole situation.
Agreed. If you’ve lived somewhere ten years why should you be denied a vote? Frankly I would allow all residents to vote even when they first arrive but I’m sure this would be even more controversial.
Seems like a strange thing to riot over—is this being perceived in a lens of colonialism?
I think the context here is that New Caledonia wants to be an independent country, and has had several referendums to try and do so electorally. France is doing everything in their power to block New Caledonian independence, using both politics and violence against natives. By granting voting rights to French immigrants, it will increase France’s apparent political support on the islands and make it harder for them to achieve independence, ensuring France can continue to plunder the islands.
I see. Well I definitely support New Caledonia’s right to self-determination but I don’t think fighting over disenfranchising people is going to be the best way to achieve that.
I’m of the opinion generally that settler colonialism should be avoided, since every previous settler colonial project has been a complete disaster, and especially for the natives (see: the Americas, Palestine, South Africa, Algeria, Australia and New Zealand). The population of Europeans in New Caledonia was last recorded declining both in percentage and absolute values, while natives have been growing. France could discourage or ban new settlers, grant current settlers full rights, and it’s possible in a few decades the European population may naturally decline to where it’s not significant. Then again who am I to set such a long timetable.
Although a boycott effectively rendered the 2021 referendum on independence meaningless, referendums on the issue in 2018 and 2020 in contrast had over 80% turnout, voting against independence by 56% and 53% majorities. As voter registration for those referendums excluded residents who had moved to the island after 1994, the issue of independence among long-term residents is, at the very least, a divisive issue.
In any case, suppressing the voices of those promoting independence, aside from being clearly undemocratic, will only worsen France's optics among New Caledonians. If the French government wants to convince locals that staying part of France is the best outcome for them, it needs to invest in the island's tourism and service industries to ensure its residents, particularly the disproportionately lower-income Kanaks, have an economy that will outlast the limited nickel deposits of New Caledonia.
Can you explain it to me. What is going on, I tried to read the article but I don't think I grasped why the rioting is occuring. He said they have been citizens for 10 years, why weren't they able to vote before..?
It's similar to gentrification, if you're more familiar with that. The natives on these Pacific Islands don't want their culture to be diluted or eventually lost due to an outside group being able to vote and make decisions.
I'm not familiar with the law which prevents immigrants from voting there, but I understand why the native population would be against outsiders impacting their culture and politics.
