New Caledonia marks anniversary of French colonisation with tight security and simmering tensions

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00:00With the Kanak flag wafting through the wind, these pro-independence activists hold their

00:06fists high.

00:08For months, members of the CCAT have been demanding the independence of New Caledonia

00:12from France.

00:13They say they won't give up.

00:17Our demands have taken on this scope because blood has been spilled.

00:23And to pay tribute to the people, to the youths who died, we're going to hoist the flag,

00:29the flag of liberty, this one.

00:31The objective is liberty in its fullest form.

00:33It's freedom for our children.

00:37Since May, the political crisis has left over a dozen dead, including two police officers.

00:43There have also been widespread damages.

00:45Thousands were brought in for questioning.

00:48The leaders of the CCAT were arrested.

00:50Some activists admit things may have gone too far.

00:54We take responsibility for things because it's our youth.

00:58And because when your child does something wrong, you don't kick them out.

01:01So we take responsibility for that.

01:02But the real responsible party is the French state.

01:06It's the loyalists.

01:07It's those that didn't listen to the thousands of protesters.

01:11The CCAT independentists say they're as determined as ever to fight for sovereignty.

01:16But just a few metres away from their outpost, there are also loyalists.

01:20They too have set up camp.

01:22Here it is the French flag that flies high.

01:25Many have lived in New Caledonia for decades.

01:27They say they fear for their homes and property.

01:30And they say they don't see how the political crisis can be resolved.

01:36I'm worried because I don't see how we can come to an agreement.

01:40It's not possible with the CCAT and others.

01:43I'm not saying living together doesn't work anymore, but we're in a bad state.

01:48The CCAT are not the sole independentists.

01:50There are also others who call themselves more moderate.

01:53They feel a peaceful compromise is possible.

01:57We've plunged New Caledonia into a situation that could be dramatic.

02:01Peace is built through dialogue and discussions.

02:04Thousands of police officers have been sent to the islands since fighting broke out in

02:08May.

02:09A night-time curfew remains in place.

02:10And the new government is expected to meet with loyalists and independentists by the

02:15end of September.

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