Emmanuel Macron has begged for calm as French residents in one of his country’s overseas territories continue to blockade the streets.
The embattled French President called for ” the firm and definitive lifting of all blockades” and “the condemnation of violence”.
Riots and protests broke out in New Caledonia in mid-May as pro-independence demonstrators slammed a proposed amendment to current voting law which was perceived as an attempt to sideline the indigenous population.
President Macron declared a state of emergency on May 16 as he deployed the French army to the island but local authorities have since claimed they took back control of the capital, Noumea.
However, barricades remain up and protesters have reiterated they are committed to staying on the streets and refuse to bow down to France‘s pressure.
Mr Macron visited the island in May to defuse tensions after weeks of unrest and looting which resulted in the death of nine people.
The French president dissolved Parliament following the abysmal results of the European Election and said the voting reform would be “suspended” for the time being.
Caledonia’s pro-independence activists have argued the snap election marked the complete collapse of the proposed amendment.
The reform is heavily opposed by the Indigenous Kanak people, who have claimed changes to current voting legislation would marginalise them further.
The Kanak Liberation Party (Palika) said: “We can all agree that the European elections saw off the constitutional bill.”
The Indigenous community makes up approximately 41 percent of New Caledonia’s population, and the reform would extend voting rights to tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents.
The anti-reformists violently clashed with pro-France counter-protesters, with both sides erecting barricades on the streets and forcing the closure of schools and the local airport.
The island, which has been under French control since the 19th century, has been slow to return to normalcy after the riots began.
La Tontouta airport only reopened this week, and the local government announced a tentative shortening of its overnight curfew.
New Caledonia became French in 1853 under Emperor Napoleon III, Napoleon’s nephew and heir.
It became an overseas territory after World War II, with French citizenship granted to all Kanaks in 1957.