French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Caledonia on Thursday, hoping to bring about some calm to the French territory. Riots there have continued for over a week, with protesters opposing a bill that French parliamentarians passed to amend the constitution.
The bill aims to change election rules in New Caledonia and allow people who have lived in the territory for at least 10 years to vote.
Those who support independence have expressed their anger, mainly the indigenous Kanaks who make up about 40 percent of the population. They are concerned voters who favor France could weaken their movement for independence.
The riots have prompted foreign nationals to flee and have led to the deaths of six people.
Macron declared a state of emergency and sent an extra 1,000 security personnel to join the 1,700 already there. French officials say his priority is the return of order to allow for a dialogue with local leaders.
New Caledonia is important for the European economy. It is a leading production center for nickel, which is critical for making stainless steel, batteries and other electronic components. However, competition from China and Indonesia has put pressure on the price of raw materials. Some miners have lost their jobs, which has added to the frustration.
French leaders also see the territory as central to their Indo-Pacific strategy. They have stationed troops there for years to maintain a presence in the region.