Movements in French territories establish 'Liberation Front'
2 Min Read
A coalition of around 15 political movements and parties has established the "International Front for Liberation of Last French Colonies" to gain independence from France.
-
Leaders from French colonies around the world participate in the first Congress of Independence Movements from French-colonized territories, in Baku, Azerbaijan, July 17, 2024. (X/Bakuinitiative)
Multiple parties and political movements have formed a coalition coined the "International Front for Liberation of Last French Colonies," which seeks to combat French colonialism ruling overseas territories.
The groups come from several French-controlled territories, such as the Mediterranean island of Corsica, islands in the Caribbean, Melanesia, and Polynesia, as well as New Caledonia, which has been riddled with anti-France riots since May.
The declaration was signed on Thursday and a website was simultaneously launched, following a meeting in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
Throughout the meeting, the newly-founded front denounced French racism and repression of Indigenous communities in its territories, vowing to harness "the colonies’ efforts in the process of decolonization."
BIG established to support 'anti-colonialist movements'
Azerbaijani media covering the emergence of the front reported that it plans on becoming a "central platform" against French colonialism.
The meeting was backed by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), an organization established the previous year to support “anti-colonialist movements,” and supported by Azerbaijani authorities. In May, Baku had already hosted leaders from French Polynesia’s pro-independence party.
The two-day summit faced immediate condemnation from pro-Paris parties in New Caledonia, who accused the pro-independence representatives from the territories of colluding with a foreign power and undermining the core interests of the French nation.
Azerbaijan has supported liberation movements in French colonies for several years, resulting in the creation of BIG.
This comes as France develops closer relations with Armenia, while Azeri-French relations deteriorate due to the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region falling back under Baku's control.
