Amoralism of Macron's France: Supporting Karabakh separatists while ignoring colonial oppression Colonies rise against economic injustice

“We have shown the entire world and the peoples still suffering from occupation or even colonialism today that they must live with faith. Faith must never be broken. If faith is broken, then justice can never prevail. But there is justice in the world,” stated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as he met with the teaching staff and students of Garabagh University.

President Aliyev's assertion resonates deeply. Azerbaijan has successfully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, defying the ambitions of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, each harbouring their own imperial interests. No other nation has managed to resolve a territorial conflict that global capitals have too often preferred to label as “frozen.”

This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy while considering the ongoing situations in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. Yet, what has followed Azerbaijan's demonstration that the seemingly impossible is achievable? Instead of receiving comprehensive support from nations that profess to uphold the principle of territorial integrity, Azerbaijan has faced increasing pressure. This hostility is accompanied by political, financial, and military backing for Armenia— the very state that has occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s territory for over twenty-five years, disregarding four United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

In this context, Macron's France emerges as a prominent actor. This is the same France that has gone to great lengths to support the Karabakh separatists, actively hindering Azerbaijan's efforts to fully restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Take a look at the current situation. France has deployed its CRS 8 special police unit to suppress protests in Martinique, one of its overseas departments, according to reports from BFMTV citing police sources.

Once again, it must be emphasized that France’s retention of overseas colonies is fundamentally unjust. It constitutes a serious violation of the rights of the peoples living in these territories to determine their own futures. This situation is particularly hypocritical given that the French leadership and the broader political community seem willing to justify the actions of the Karabakh separatists, despite their violations.

Additionally, it's crucial to highlight that the Martinique authorities have imposed a curfew in several areas of the capital, Fort-de-France, and in the nearby commune of Le Lamentin amid widespread protests against rising prices. According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the cost of living in some of these overseas territories is now higher than in mainland France, with prices in Martinique being 14 per cent above the national average. Alarmingly, food prices in Martinique are 40 per cent more expensive than those in the European mainland.

In other words, the protests in Martinique are fundamentally social in nature, driven by the harsh realities that residents face in their daily lives. They are struggling to survive, largely due to the political and economic pressures imposed by Paris. It's worth noting that the socio-economic situation is tense not only in Martinique; protests are also erupting in neighboring Guadeloupe, where a strike by workers at the Electricite de France (EDF), French energy company, resulted in a week-long power outage.

This illustrates how France is exerting control over its overseas territories through both force and economic leverage, effectively exploiting these regions to sustain the economy of the Fifth Republic.

One cannot help but recall how Paris has condemned Azerbaijan for the so-called "blockade" of Karabakh and for conducting anti-terrorist operations there just a year ago. The blatant amoralism and double standards displayed by French authorities are glaringly apparent. Such behavior is consistent with the patterns observed from Macron's France in recent years.

Notably, the International Front for the Liberation of the Last French Colonies (Le Front international de libération des dernières colonies françaises) has previously condemned the violence perpetrated by French authorities in colonized territories. In a statement, the organization asserted that "the rights of the people of Martinique to economic and social justice are brutally suppressed."

They emphasized that "this state repression is part of France's colonial policy. Our struggle is a fight for justice, freedom, liberation, and dignity for our people. We will remain steadfast in our efforts until colonialism is finally eradicated and our peoples achieve true freedom, peace, and sovereignty."

This sentiment, supported by 17 political movements from French territories, highlights a reality that the French leadership seeks to suppress while simultaneously daring to critique Azerbaijan.