France sends police and military reinforcements to riot-hit New Caledonia
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00:00 These French forces have been given a mission.
00:03 Clearing out roadblocks set up by New Caledonia's pro-independence rioters.
00:09 This neighbourhood located north of Nouméa, the capital, has been inaccessible for days.
00:16 The easiest way to take down the burning barricade, running over it with an armoured vehicle.
00:23 Dozens of roadblocks have been removed
00:26 but pro-independence activists say this will not resolve the crisis.
00:31 For now though, they've called on protesters to ease their blockade of some of the roads.
00:38 "We will travel to each neighbourhood, every area,
00:45 to meet with our people and ask to loosen the grip on the main roads.
00:49 This way fuel can be brought to our people in all areas
00:54 and medicine too so that people can be treated, get their medication and their dialysis."
00:59 Authorities have ordered pro-independence leaders to remain in their homes.
01:06 But those leaders who have met with President Emmanuel Macron
01:11 have asked for that order to be lifted
01:14 so they can at least tell residents what they've heard from the French president.
01:18 The crisis was triggered when the French government decided to move forward with voting reforms.
01:24 It was also fuelled by economic disparities
01:27 between the indigenous Kanaq population and residents of European descent.
01:33 President Macron said he does not want to push the reform by force and now favours dialogue.