France has a new government. Can it solve the New Caledonia crisis after months of deadly unrest?

NICE, France (AP) — After four months of deadly unrest in New Caledonia, tensions in the French Pacific territory between the pro-independence Indigenous Kanak people and the white settler communities loyal to Paris are simmering as the vast archipelago east of Australia marks the anniversary of colonization on Tuesday.

The communities stand far apart on the territory’s future following the Kanaks’ revolt in May against President Emmanuel Macron’ s voting reform in New Caledonia. The loyalists have called on supporters in the capital, Noumea, to mark the 171st anniversary of the French takeover by honking horns during a radio broadcast of France’s national anthem, La Marseillaise.

Separately, the National Council of Chiefs of the Kanak people is meeting on the neighbouring Mare Island and is expected to unilaterally declare sovereignty over the Kanak nation on their customary territories. Macron sidelined the controversial voting reform — along with the situation in New Caledonia — in June after he dissolved the Parliament and called for early legislative elections.

As mainland France was embroiled in an unprecedent political crisis following July’s inconclusive vote and the Paris Olympics euphoria, it was France’s police and military troops that were largely dealing with the unrest and discontent in New Caledonia. They conducted raids and arrests of people authorities suspected of involvement in violence that included clashes, looting and arson. Thirteen people were killed and widespread damage was done to businesses, homes and public property amounting to 2.2 million euros.

Since the start of Macron’s presidency in 2017, the French Pacific territory has been central to his Indo-Pacific strategy as he aimed to boost