Emmanuel Macron in New Caledonia: what are the residents waiting for?

Plumes of black smoke rise over New Caledonia on Wednesday May 22. On the highway, law enforcement officers track rioters. The situation is still tense while Emmanuel Macron is expected there. This emergency trip was a request from certain residents. “That might help ease tensions a little.” hope for a woman. “Right now, it’s chaos”adds another.

The burning and looting of stores continues after nine days of rioting and clashes which left 6 dead. For some Caledonians, the situation is at an impasse. “It will create more animosity towards people”, assures a man. Roadblocks still block access to certain districts of Nouméa (New Caledonia). The President of the Republic hopes to reestablish dialogue with his arrival. A man waits “calm and peace”. The arrival of Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening will be particularly scrutinized.