Baku becomes global stage for debate on France’s colonial policies

An international academic conference titled “Imperial Structure: Colonial Ideologies and Realities,” focused on the legacy of French colonialism, is currently underway in Baku.

The event is organised by the Baku Initiative Group, which was established to spotlight and confront the enduring impact of colonialism, particularly in relation to France’s historical role, Caliber.Az reports via domestic media.

This marks the first international gathering of scholars and experts on decolonisation who are engaged in various structures of the United Nations, alongside prominent specialists dedicated to post-colonial studies.

The conference has drawn seasoned UN decolonisation experts, eminent academics from former and current French-controlled territories, noted authorities in international law, as well as foreign ambassadors accredited to Azerbaijan, members of parliament, and other officials.

Participants will conduct a comprehensive examination of the damaging legacy of colonial rule, including the policies imposed by colonial powers on subjugated nations, systemic discrimination, and the political, economic, and cultural restrictions rooted in neocolonial practices. Special attention will be given to the deliberate suppression of national identities that was part and parcel of colonial governance.

A central theme of the discussions will be how former colonial powers continue to obstruct the full implementation of the decolonisation process, despite clear mandates under international law and United Nations resolutions. In this context, the conference will explore how to leverage existing international mechanisms, pursue effective strategies within global institutions, and address systemic inequalities at the international level.

The organiser of the event, Baku Initiative Group against French Colonialism, was established during the event titled “Towards the Complete Elimination of Colonialism,” held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on July 6, 2023. The conference, organised by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), served as a platform for discussing strategies to eliminate France’s enduring neo-colonial policies.

France’s colonial empire, which originated in the 16th century, grew to become the second-largest in the world, surpassed only by the British Empire, by the time of the interwar period. French colonial holdings extended across North America, the Caribbean, India, Africa, Indochina, and the South Pacific. Under the banner of its so-called “Civilising Mission,” France sought to spread the French language and Catholicism throughout its overseas territories.

This colonial expansion was met with persistent resistance from subjugated peoples determined to regain their autonomy and freedom. In what is now Burkina Faso, formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, the Mossi people had established strong kingdoms as early as the 11th to 13th centuries. In 1896, the region was colonised by France, later becoming a self-governing colony within the French Community in 1958, and finally achieving full independence in 1960 with Maurice Yaméogo serving as its first president.

The Baku Initiative Group was created to pursue meaningful action toward eradicating de facto slavery, both on the African continent and in other regions affected by colonial domination. The statement adopted at the 2023 event calls unequivocally for the total elimination of colonialism and the advancement of self-determination and freedom for all formerly and currently colonised peoples.

By Tamilla Hasanova