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Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his support for the independence of French overseas territories, describing them as being “under colonial rule.”
“The Comoros Islands, Mayotte are still under colonial rule. It has been our duty to help these countries liberate themselves from this revolting remnant from the past,” Aliyev said during a media forum in Baku on Saturday, Reuters and Azerbaijani news agency Trend reported.
The Comoros, an East African archipelago, gained independence from France in 1975, but a year later, one of the archipelago’s islands, Mayotte, voted in favor of remaining in France during a referendum organized by Paris. Comoros does not recognize French sovereignty over Mayotte and U.N. resolutions have also affirmed the Comoros’ sovereignty over the island.
“We will support you until you are free,” Aliyev said in reference to French territories.
Relations between Paris and Baku are at a lowpoint as a result of France’s military and political support for the South Caucasus country’s neighbor and historic rival Armenia, and Azerbaijan’s backing of pro-independence movements in French overseas territories. Azerbaijan spearheaded the Baku Initiative Group, bringing together 14 political movements across the former French Empire in the name of decolonization.
In May, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that the deadly unrest in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific, was being supported by Azerbaijan, claims Baku pushed back against.
Azerbaijan, a major producer of oil and gas, is set to welcome global leaders four months from now in Baku for the COP29 climate summit.
