French President Emmanuel Macron described the recent upheaval in New Caledonia as an “unprecedented insurrection movement” as he visited the archipelago Thursday. Macron said he would delay new reforms that would give voting rights to French residents of the territory, a move that the Indigenous Kanak population argues will dilute their voice and their struggle for independence. This is President Macron.

President Emmanuel Macron: “This reform, although it’s rejected by some here, which has fed the violence, it has democratic legitimacy. The bill proposed by the government has been voted with a clear majority, both in the National Assembly and the Senate. I say this as president: We don’t just throw away popular sovereignty like a mere piece of paper.”