Patrick Maurel, sitting at the table at the Manoir de Keryvon, in Saint-Derrien, contemplates his life with contained emotion, his eldest daughter Ariana at his side. The two generations and their families live in the neighboring gîte where they were warmly welcomed recently. They never would have imagined finding themselves one day, empty-handed, 22,000 km from their home in New Caledonia. For them, it is absolute incomprehension and shock.
They have been Caldoches for five generations, descendants of these populations that France sent to populate this territory located on the other side of the globe in the 19th century. But their island descended into violence with the riots of May 13, 2024. Even if things have calmed down a little since then, fear motivated their exodus: “Before, we lived in paradise, Kanaks, Caldoches, Métros [les personnes venues de France métropolitaine, NDLR]. It wasn't perfect but it was good. We didn't see anything coming. »
“At night, we started to keep watch at our house”
This May 13, it was a bill adopted by the National Assembly which ignited the powder: the deputies voted for a text aimed at expanding the electorate. This decision is seen as unilateral by the Kanak people, who fear seeing their representation diluted within the island's authorities.
Awkwardness has set in with our former Kanak friends, it hurts…
“Kanak society is traditional with a very respected organization, but everything has been shattered,” says Patrick Maurel. We saw young Kanaks taking to the streets with weapons of war, burning schools, assaulting old people and children, looting stores without their elders being able to bring them back to dialogue… It was an unbelievable outburst. of violence whose radicalization questions us. »
Ariana also testifies that her 9-year-old son was threatened with a sword by a young Kanak to whom he had said “hello”: “It’s just unbearable. At night we began to stand guard at our house. The gendarmes told us “Defend yourself as best you can, we cannot protect you”. Well, despite ourselves, embarrassment set in with our former Kanak friends, it hurt… The economy completely collapsed, we started counting the dead. »
“Christmas will be difficult…”
The family, terrorized by Kanak claims that within a year, “Kanaki would be fully sovereign”, sold off all their property, resigned from their jobs and put their life and memories in a large suitcase before landing in Finistère. Patrick Maurel had a grandfather of Breton origin, so why not? However, he expects a “difficult Christmas.” Part of the family is still there, we don't know when we will see each other again… It's a departure with no possible return. »
Ariana's husband found a position as a crane operator in Gouesnou, but he needs a large roof with four bedrooms to accommodate the two families. In addition, they face administrative problems, including those with social security, which must be resolved quickly. The children must find their way back to school. However, the father and daughter want to believe it, because now home is here.
France
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