The French territory of New Caledonia has been rocked by protests and violent riots following controversial changes to voting rules which Indigenous leaders say reduces their power.
France ordered troops to guard ports and the international airport in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia as a state of emergency started Thursday after two nights of riots left four dead and hundreds wounded. Turmoil erupted after France's national assembly backed hotly-disputed changes to voting rolls that indigenous Kanak leaders say will dilute their vote.
While it has on three occasions rejected independence in referendums, independence retains strong support among the indigenous Kanak people. President Emmanuel Macron called for a resumption of political dialogue, the Elysee said. But the government approved a state of emergency from Thursday morning local time, spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said.
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