MailOnline explores why this little Pacific island has become the focal point of a grand geopolitical game - and how Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be set to benefit
Unprecedented rioting has engulfed the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, a small, idyllic island adrift in the Pacific Ocean some 850 miles off Australia's Gold Coast .
But what appeared at first glance to be a simple outburst of indigenous rage at the enduring impact of colonialism was quickly revealed as something more sinister, with the flames of discontent whipped up by a quiet enemy of France half a world away from New Caledonia. Who is supporting the protests, and why? There have been decades of tensions over the issue of independence between the Kanaks and non-indigenous people who settled in the territory of 270,000 and want to remain part of France.
On the surface, the thought that Azerbaijan - a country with little to no influence or interest in the Pacific and located 8,500 miles away from New Caledonia - could be in any way responsible for political demonstrations in Noumea seems laughable.'Instead of accusing Azerbaijan of allegedly supporting pro-independence protests... should focus on his country's failed policy towards the overseas territories that led to such protests,' he said.
In response to the support of Armenia offered by France - which has a large Armenian diaspora - Azerbaijan launched a concerted effort to stir up anti-French opinion. A masked bystander poses in front of burnt vehicles in a roadblock at the entrance to Ducos, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia, on May 21, 2024
Not only is the island a well of invaluable resources for France, but it is also a key strategic location for France's military, and by extension, its Western partners - particularly the US which is desperate to maintain a strong presence in the Pacific to counteract the influence and expansionist tendencies of China.
Should New Caledonia ultimately rip itself away from France and declare independence, then Paris' loss would certainly be the gain of Moscow and Beijing. If New Caledonia were to declare independence, Chinese companies could win much greater access to its coveted resources. Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024
Where France's involvement in the affairs of African nations is generally associated with its chequered colonial past, Russia has presented itself as an equal partner. This was evidenced by Azerbaijani forces facing down Russian peacekeepers tasked with maintaining the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku ultimately succeeded, forcing Moscow's troops to stand down and surged into the territory with no meaningful reproach from the Kremlin.
He also declared police forces sent in to help battle deadly unrest in the French Pacific archipelago 'will stay as long as necessary,' even as French security services focus in coming weeks on safeguarding the Paris Olympics. But the French President went on to say the state of emergency imposed by Paris would only be lifted if local leaders instructed their people to clear barricades and restore order.
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