Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pledged to stand behind the independence movements of France's overseas territories, marking a significant move in Azerbaijan's recent efforts to align with pro-independence forces in these regions.
Aliyev made these statements at a media forum just before the Olympic Games in Paris and following a congress in Baku that gathered pro-independence groups from French territories, including New Caledonia, Corsica, and Caribbean and Pacific islands.
"We will support you until you are free," Aliyev declared, emphasizing that the ongoing issues in these territories are not merely France's internal affairs.
He criticized France for what he described as a "cold war" against Azerbaijan and condemned France's colonial practices.
"France yet again uses the media to falsely allege that we are interfering in their internal affairs. This is not a case of their internal affairs," he said, referring to the recent violence in New Caledonia, which resulted in seven deaths.
Aliyev's statements come amid heightened tensions in New Caledonia, where Indigenous Kanak activists have protested against a controversial electoral reform.
The Azerbaijani leader reiterated his commitment to supporting all nations suffering from colonialism, asserting that it is their duty to help these countries achieve independence.
"They have started a cold war against Azerbaijan. We are only responding, and France’s actions are unacceptable. They have no right to control the fate of these nations to this an extent."
"These countries are thousands of kilometers away from France, and France tries to assimilate them in an insulting manner. In the latest events in New Caledonia, seven people have died. This happened due to the actions of France and its president".
"Many members of the Non-Aligned Movement are still suffering from the colonialism. Millions of people suffered, and some of these countries such as Comoros islands, Mayotte are still under colonial rule today. It is our duty to help these countries liberate themselves from this revolting remnant from the past."
“We will continue to support all nations suffering from colonialism and we will do all we can to help you,” the Azerbaijani leader said.
Azerbaijan invited separatists from the French territories of Martinique, French Guiana, New Caledonia and French Polynesia to Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, for a conference in July 2023.
The meeting led to the creation of the “Baku Initiative Group”, whose stated aim is to support “French liberation and anti-colonialist movements”.
The group published a statement this week condemning the French parliament’s proposed change to New Caledonia’s constitution, which would allow outsiders who moved to the territory at least 10 years ago the right to vote in its elections.
Pro-independence forces say that would dilute the vote of Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the population.
“We stand in solidarity with our Kanak friends and support their fair struggle,” the Baku Initiative Group said.
In May 2024, France declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in New Caledonia or Nouvelle Calédonie in French, in response to a revolt by independence groups.
French authorities accused Azerbaijan of meddling in New Caledonia’s affairs and exacerbating tensions through misleading social media campaigns. The diplomatic friction between the two countries has been ongoing, with Azerbaijan expelling two French diplomats last December.
