Baku hosted the first Congress of Independence Movements from French-colonized territories, Report informs.
This groundbreaking initiative, organized by the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe and supported by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), brought together nearly 20 political parties and independence movements from French-controlled territories including Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, and the Caribbean and the Antilles.
The two-day congress, held on July 17-18, culminated in a unanimous agreement to form a united front against French colonialism.
The newly formed International Liberation Front represents a centralized platform for anti-colonial efforts. Seventeen official representatives from the French and Dutch colonies signed the final declaration on the establishment of the International Liberation Front and approved its charter.
The declaration specifically highlighted Azerbaijan's crucial role in the decolonization process, as well as BIG's support and commitment to the struggle for the freedom of the colonial territories, and expressed gratitude for the country's unwavering support.
The document strongly condemned France's racist and repressive colonial policies, with particular emphasis on crimes committed by the French government in New Caledonia and other colonial territories.
The emergence of the International Liberation Front represents a significant step towards a more coordinated and powerful anti-colonial movement. Participants have committed to closer organization and coordination of their activities in the fight for independence from French colonialism.
Open to membership from other territories currently under colonial rule, the Front aims to consolidate efforts in the decolonization of French colonies and effectively communicate self-determination issues to the global community. Future activities will include developing a comprehensive strategy for eliminating colonialism, including an Action Plan and Agenda to be presented to international organizations.
During the decolonization process, Azerbaijan played a significant role by assuming leadership within the Non-Aligned Movement. As a result, the Congress of French Colonies was convened, facilitated by Azerbaijan’s contributions.
The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) was created on July 6, 2023, in Baku by participants in the Complete Elimination of Colonialism conference within the framework of the ministerial meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan.
BIG supports the struggle for the freedom of people in various regions of the world still suffering from colonization in the 21st century. BIG has organized approximately 15 international conferences. Among these, four were held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. Additionally, one conference took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, while the remaining gatherings were hosted in Baku.