A demonstration gathered Saturday, December 12 in Noumea 23,000 people according to the police, 30,000 according to the organizers, to say "
stop blockages
" and demand "
freedom of movement
", noted an AFP journalist.
To read also: Sébastien Lecornu: "The Republic is not weak in New Caledonia"
This “
peaceful
”
march
comes after a week of violence marked by roadblocks and blockades led by independence movements hostile to the consortium taking over the nickel plant from the Vale group.
The procession marched in the city center, passing in front of the gates of the High Commission of the Republic, singing La Marseillaise and displaying tricolor flags.
The demonstration was organized at the call of the movement Les Loyalistes, which brings together the Future in Confidence (AEC), the main non-independence party, as well as other right-wing parties including the National Rally.
“
It is a very good mobilization of the silent majority, the one who wants a Caledonia of peace, which does not want violence or blockage.
There may be political debates (...) but we must never give in to this violence, which has taken Caledonians hostage this week,
”said Virginie Ruffenach, president of the AEC group in Congress.
Senator Pierre Frogier (LR), as well as the president of the local government Thierry Santa and the president of the South province Sonia Backés were also present at this march "in solidarity with the stranded", and particularly those of Mont-Dore whose road which leads to Nouméa has been hampered by roadblocks and counter-dams since the beginning of the week.
Located in the south, this commune, along with that of Yaté, is home to the nickel processing plant of the Brazilian Vale, whose sale, announced on Wednesday, to a Caledonian and international consortium including the commodity trader, Trafigura, arouses the anger of separatists from the FLNKS and Kanak chiefdoms.
It is according to them an operation “
of predation of multinationals
.” “
The Loyalists
”, and the State, which provides financial aid, are in favor of this recovery project, which allows “
to save 3,000 jobs
”.
Read also: New Caledonia: the Vale factory evacuated, the site under the protection of the gendarmerie
After being stormed Thursday, December 10 by rioters in trucks, which were repulsed by the police, the industrial unit, classified Seveso 2, was evacuated urgently and then shut down .
Given the escalation of violence, Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Overseas Territories, on Friday appealed for dialogue to the FLNKS, which the day before had boycotted a videoconference meeting.
Victor Tutugoro, spokesperson for the independence front political bureau, said on Saturday "to
accept the minister's proposal
", and indicated that an appointment had been made for "
the beginning of next week
".
Welcoming "
the start of a recorded lull and the many informal exchanges which continue with leaders of the FLNKS
", Sébastien Lecornu underlines, in an interview on Saturday with
Le Figaro
, that "
the Kanaks refuse violence
".
But “
there are however radicalized people.
They must be brought to their senses by continuing the dialogue and punishing illegal acts.
No one has to gain from this use of force
”.
Read also: New Caledonia: roadblocks and violence between demonstrators and the police
"
We need nickel in New Caledonia," continues the minister.
Whether we are pro-independence or not, we cannot ignore that this industry participates in the production of wealth.
It is essential that the 3,000 jobs at the Vale plant in the South be safeguarded (...).
If the plant in the South is sealed off, its closure will be irreversible
”.
