7 Dec 2016

New Caledonia demo called off amid Paris re-shuffle

2:40 pm on 7 December 2016

A demonstration in New Caledonia planned for Thursday has been called off because the French overseas minister decided to defer her visit to Noumea.

The rally had been called to alert the French government to what the organisers call an explosion of delinquency and the insecurity being felt by many.

The minister Ericka Bareigts was due for a three-day visit as part of efforts to combat youth crime but called off her trip because the prime minister Manuel Valls resigned.

Incoming French Overseas Minister, Ericka Bareigts.

Incoming French Overseas Minister, Ericka Bareigts. Photo: AFP

She is now expected in February as originally planned but prolonged clashes near Noumea last month prompted her to bring her trip forward to this week.

The interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who was due to visit New Caledonia in February, has now become the prime minister.

The new interior minister is Bruno Le Roux who was the leader of the Socialist parliamentary group in the National Assembly.

France plans to deploy an extra 53 police officers in New Caledonia from February.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve Photo: AFP

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