In New Caledonia, the day after the operation launched by the police to clear the 60 kilometers of road leading to the airport, it seems that it is time for calm. The axis is not completely clear and clashes are still taking place in certain neighborhoods, still in the hands of the rioters. But elsewhere, the time has come for clearing up and calling for calm. Nouméa international airport will remain closed to commercial flights until Thursday 9:00 a.m. (midnight in Paris), indicated Charles Roger, director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of New Caledonia, manager of the platform.
3 mins
After a week ofintense clashes with the police, young people from the Tour de Magenta district raised the white flag and began this Monday morning to clean the road, reports our correspondent in Nouméa, Charlotte Mannevy : no fewer than six roadblocks made up of washing machines, fences and burned furniture had been erected.
Armed with shovels and brooms, they explained that they had made this decision after having had a discussion with traditional leaders – whose role is major in Kanak culture. “ There has been enough damage as it is and too many deaths, it has already gone too far », Confided one of them.
Read alsoNew Caledonia: after a week of riots, President Macron is in a hurry to delay
Persistent tensions in other neighborhoods
A relief for the families who lived cloistered in their apartment while the rioters fought against the police every night.
A relief also for the neighbors in the area: several buildings, including the post office, a pizzeria and other commercial premises, went up in smoke. So, they came to help with the clearing.
The return to calm remains precarious and localized in other neighborhoods where the police intervened Monday afternoon local time to clear the barricades using armored vehicles. The dams were immediately raised.
The risks of shortages
A few hours ago, Jeremie Katidjo Monnier, member of the New Caledonian government, took stock of the risks of shortages feared by residents, at the microphone ofAmélie Beaucour from the French service of RFI: “ There is not and will not be a shortage of food due to stockpiles. There may be real difficulties in certain places in the urban area, and in particular in Mont-Dore, Païta and Dumbéa, the districts of Rivière-Salée and Logicoop, on supplies which are still quite difficult to ensure, knowing that the real The difficulty is really securing the axes. »
Access to care, in general, is also made difficult, with caregivers or patients having difficulty reaching health establishments. Regarding the shortages, Yannick Slamet, in charge of health for the New Caledonian government, also wanted to reassure the population this Monday: “ Stocks of medicines are currently available and sufficient. Vital treatments such as dialysis, oncology, here too, availability is monitored. But quite naturally, in terms of care, the bush and the islands are starting to suffer the consequences since there is always a problem of access. »
To find a pharmacy that is still open, it is through word of mouth, or the free channels of local radio stations that residents organize themselves. Pharmacies which were set on fire like many businesses or public buildings. More than 150 establishments were targeted, including middle and high schools.
All schools will remain closed at least until Friday. While students remain stuck on campuses, in high school and college boarding schools, prevented from joining their families due to a lack of secure roads. The New Caledonian government is currently organizing operations to resupply and repatriate children.