Baku to host first congress of independence movements in French colonies

The first congress of independence movements in French colonies, organized by the People’s Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe and supported by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), will take place in Baku on July 17-18, Azernews reports.

It will involve leaders from over 15 political parties and independence movements representing Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, and the Antilles, regions that have historically suffered from French colonialism.

The concept of holding the congress stems from the political parties and movements advocating for the independence of the French overseas territories.

During the congress, three organizations from the islands of Bonaire and Saint-Martin, which are part of the Caribbean Netherlands, will participate as guests of honor.

The two-day congress will provide participating parties with an opportunity to discuss strategies for closer organization in the fight for independence. Additionally, they will coordinate result-oriented activities aimed at defeating French colonialism by establishing a unified platform. Representatives from the colonies will also explore effective practices and strategies for self-determination.

The congress will contribute to increasing the awareness of the international community about the numerous crimes and illegal acts committed by the French government against the native peoples who are the real owners of those territories in the mentioned colonies, and to draw attention to the problem of colonialism, which is one of the problems of the 21st century.

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.