In a show of support for the French Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, President Emmanuel Macron has arrived amidst deadly unrest and calls for independence from France. Macron, upon his arrival at La Tontouta International Airport, stressed the urgent need for peace and security in the region.

Macron expressed his priority was to restore calm and security to New Caledonia, which has been ravaged by days of violence including shootings, arson, and destruction estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros. The French President intends to meet with local officials to discuss the resources required for reconstruction.

During his visit, Macron also plans to focus on delicate political questions concerning the future of New Caledonia, as well as economic reconstruction and support. He aims to make decisions and announcements by the end of the day.

Responding to a question about the duration of his visit, Macron stated that he did not have a specific time limit, indicating a flexible approach to address the ongoing crisis.

Macron's decision to undertake the arduous journey of approximately 10,000 miles himself underlines the severity of the situation in New Caledonia, which witnesses the most significant bout of violence since the 1980s. This lightning visit, expected to last a single day, allows the French President to witness the destruction firsthand.

One of Macron's key objectives is to encourage talks among the divided local leaders regarding the issue of independence. He also plans to express gratitude to the French security forces who have been working tirelessly to restore order. Since the outbreak of violence, over 1,000 reinforcements have been deployed, and a state of emergency has been declared.

The violence initially erupted on May 13th during a debate in the French legislature about amending New Caledonia voter lists. One of the approved changes permits residents who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years to participate in provincial elections. Critics argue that this measure may favor pro-France politicians and further marginalize the Kanaks, who have historically faced discrimination and segregation policies.

Decades-long tensions between the Kanaks and descendants of colonists have persisted in New Caledonia, where the population stands at approximately 270,000 people. While some desire independence, others wish to remain part of France. Macron has previously facilitated dialogue between pro-independence and pro-France factions, leading to the 2018 referendum where New Caledonians narrowly voted to remain part of France.

The current wave of violence has resulted in at least six fatalities, including four civilians and two gendarmes. The New Caledonia High Commission reports that over 280 people have been arrested, and 84 police officers and gendarmes have sustained injuries. The number of civilian injuries, however, remains unclear.

Accompanying President Macron on this trip are French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and Overseas Territories Minister Marie Guevenoux. Together, they aim to take decisive action to bring stability and lasting peace to New Caledonia.