Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev Commits to Helping French Overseas Territories Secure Independence

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently expressed his commitment to supporting the independence of France’s overseas territories.

This declaration is part of a growing series of tensions between Azerbaijan and France, primarily driven by long-standing conflicts in the Caucasus region.

Aliyev has accused France of meddling in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs, particularly through its interactions with Armenia. Azerbaijan and Armenia have engaged in two wars over the past 30 years, primarily concerning the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Recently, Azerbaijani officials have increasingly directed their focus towards France’s South Pacific territory of New Caledonia, which has been experiencing unrest due to Indigenous Kanak activists’ opposition to a controversial electoral reform.

In a recent media forum, held shortly before the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and following a significant congress in Baku, Aliyev reiterated his support for pro-independence movements in French territories.

Addressing the forum, Aliyev assured these territories of Azerbaijan’s support until they attain freedom, condemning what he described as the lingering effects of colonialism.

He specifically mentioned territories such as the Comoros islands and Mayotte, which he argued remain under colonial rule, framing their situation as a relic of a bygone era that deserves liberation.

The congress in Baku, organised by an “initiative group,” gathered pro-independence activists from New Caledonia and other French territories, including Corsica and various Caribbean and Pacific islands.

Reports from French media highlighted the participants’ critical stance towards French authorities. Additionally, an Azerbaijani delegation received an invitation to visit New Caledonia, signaling a strengthening of ties between the Azerbaijani government and these pro-independence groups.

France has accused Azerbaijan of exacerbating unrest in New Caledonia by disseminating misleading information on social media, including photos and videos that allegedly misrepresented the actions of French police. Azerbaijan has consistently denied these accusations.

The strained relations between Azerbaijan and France are also evident in their respective stances on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

Azerbaijani officials claim that France displays a bias towards Armenia, particularly in its efforts to mediate a peace treaty aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has expressed concerns over France’s defense contracts with Armenia. This diplomatic friction was underscored by Azerbaijan’s expulsion of two French diplomats in December of the previous year.

In summary, the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and France extends beyond regional disputes to involve broader geopolitical maneuvers and allegiances.

Aliyev’s recent pledges to support independence movements in French territories illustrate the widening scope of this conflict and highlight Azerbaijan’s efforts to counteract perceived French interference.