NEW COUNTRY

The first congress of movements for the independence of colonised territories was held in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. It was organised by the Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe with the support of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), marking a new chapter in the history of the anti-colonial struggle.

International Liberation Front

The forum was attended by leaders of around 20 political parties and movements advocating for the independence of Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Caribbean and Antilles, other French overseas territories, as well as the islands of Bonaire and St. Maarten, which are colonies of the Netherlands.

Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, emphasised that the aim of the congress was to support the initiatives and aspirations of the pro-independence movements.

The congress reaffirmed the commitment and determination of the BIG, established at last year's conference Towards the Total Elimination of Colonialism, in supporting the just struggle for the liberation of the remaining colonies.

This Forum took place amidst pro-independence protests in New Caledonia, where Paris is brutally suppressing the anti-colonial liberation movement of the Kanaks, the indigenous people of the Pacific archipelago. Abbasov recalled that during the recent riots in New Caledonia, members of the pro-independence movement were unlawfully arrested by the French police. They were secretly transported to Paris and subjected to various forms of torture. There were even women with small children among them. BIG, for its part, pledged to assist the families of political prisoners and the lawyers defending their rights.

BIG recently issued a joint statement with the political movements advocating for the independence of Kanak in New Caledonia, Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Corsica, demanding that France cease its colonial policy. At the Baku congress, however, a significant practical step was taken towards creating a united platform for a more organised struggle for independence among the French colonies.

Thus, plenipotentiary representatives of 17 colonies from France and the Netherlands signed in Baku the Declaration on the Establishment of the International Liberation Front. The document strongly condemns the racist and repressive policies of French colonialism, particularly the crimes committed in New Caledonia. The delegates at the congress decided on closer organisational formation in the fight for independence, as well as coordination of activities aimed at achieving victory over French colonialism.

The congress approved the Statute of the International Liberation Front and launched the organisation's website, fildecof.org. Among the decisions made at the congress was the introduction of the BIG student educational scholarship, which will provide young people living in French colonies with opportunities to study at higher educational institutions in Azerbaijan.

Abbasov viewed the International Liberation Front as a new and powerful tool in the struggle against colonialism in today's world. "We believe that in the future, the number of participants will increase significantly, and other peoples affected by colonial policies will join us," added the BIG executive director.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of New Caledonia, Michael Forrest, expressed confidence that establishing the International Liberation Front was an important step towards freedom from French colonialism.

Thus, BIG and the International Liberation Front made a serious commitment to becoming the vanguard of the liberation movement for oppressed peoples. Azerbaijan plays a recognized and significant role in the struggle for decolonization, which was reflected in the final Declaration of the Baku Congress.

Azerbaijan's Bold Steps

At the congress, Abbasov asserted that the capital of Azerbaijan has become a hub for anti-colonial activities and decolonisation processes. It is pertinent to recall that last October, Baku played host to a conference on the subject of neocolonialism. "Human rights violations and instances of injustice." In May of this year, Azerbaijan participated for the first time in the annual event of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24), which was established to implement the United Nations Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. At this event, Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to its position against colonialism and neo-colonialism in the twenty-first century.

Subsequently, in June 2024, a conference was initiated and organised by BIG on the subject of Towards Independence and Fundamental Freedoms. The event, entitled The Role of the C24 Committee in Ending Colonialism, was held at the UN headquarters in New York as part of the Special Committee's annual meeting. The conference was attended by over 40 participants from territories under colonial control by France and the Netherlands.

In general, BIG has been engaged in a process of expansion, as evidenced by the inclusion of regions under Dutch colonial rule. As a consequence of their submission to BIG, representatives of Dutch colonies were permitted to participate in both an international conference held at UN headquarters and the Baku Congress of Independence Movements from Colonised Territories.

The role of Azerbaijan in the fight against colonialism was commended in several speeches delivered by participants at the Congress. In his address, the Secretary General of the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe, Jean-Jacob Bissep, expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for its support of the congress in Baku.

"Azerbaijan is taking resolute action. "With the support of the Baku Initiative Group, which operates under the auspices of the UN, we are organising such an event in Baku for the first time. It is possible to combat colonialism collectively. The objective is to garner global attention to this matter. It is our intention to enhance our collective solidarity and to raise awareness of our activities on a global scale. France has a history of committing crimes against its colonies. The objective is to exert global pressure on France," Bissep said.

Indeed, Azerbaijan's support for the anti-colonial movement serves to highlight the fundamental issues that underpin Western contemporary policy. In particular, it demonstrates to the global community that not only do the crimes of French colonialism committed in the past continue to have repercussions, but so too do the current "achievements" of the French state, which have resulted in immense troubles and suffering for many countries and peoples across Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

The detrimental consequences of French policy have imposed a significant burden on those striving to liberate themselves from neo-colonial domination. Azerbaijan asserts that France's impunity must end, particularly in light of its cynical attempts to deflect responsibility for its criminal actions by attributing them to countries that are demanding an end to neo-colonialism and any form of oppression by one country over another. France is without any political or moral right to accuse or impose its will on any other nation.

Furthermore, the anti-colonial theme was reflected in discussions held during the Second Global Media Forum in Shusha, Azerbaijan's cultural capital. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made it clear that Baku will continue to provide support to all peoples suffering from colonialism to the best of its ability, utilising all available resources and, of course, through the Baku Initiative Group. In his address to representatives from colonised territories participating in the media forum, Aliyev stated: "You and millions like you should be permitted to live freely on your land, to plan your future, and to protect your heritage, dignity, and language, which they seek to deprive you of." "We will be on your side," he then reassured the audience.

Azerbaijan's consistent support for liberation movements among peoples under external rule and subjected to neo-colonial dictatorship is further evidenced by preparations for their representatives' participation in the upcoming UN COP29 Climate Conference in Baku this November. In light of the global climate agenda and Azerbaijan's role as host of COP29, Ilham Aliyev's statement at the Shusha Media Forum regarding the launch of a programme to support small island developing states is of particular significance. The Azerbaijani President has announced plans to create a special fund to assist these states in combating climate change, which has been identified as an existential threat to them.

Therefore, Azerbaijan, which has consistently opposed all forms of neocolonialism, will persist in its endeavours to establish justice and equality on a global scale. France and other countries whose actions have been perceived as disgraceful, including a fervent anti-Azerbaijani campaign, would do well to take note.