Baku conference calls on France to reckon with bloody colonial legacy PHOTO

Baku played host to a high-level panel session titled “Ideologies of Colonialism” on the sidelines of the broader international scientific conference "Imperial Structure: Colonial Ideologies and Realities", spotlighting the enduring legacy of France’s bloody colonial past.

The event brought together scholars, politicians, and international representatives to examine the historical and ongoing impact of colonialism and the resistance it has engendered, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Professor Chakib Benhafri at Algiers 2 University delivered a powerful address, calling on France to relinquish its historical colonial entanglements. He asserted that France must relinquish control over the territories it once soaked in blood and transformed into colonies. “Historically, France made grand promises to Algeria, yet ultimately the nation and its people have endured profound suffering,” he remarked.

Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Nigar Mammadova underscored her country’s growing role in advancing global dialogue on decolonization. “As an Azerbaijani, I emphasise the significance of our country's contribution. More than 10 international conferences have already been held on this topic,” she stated, noting Azerbaijan's sustained commitment to exposing and addressing the legacy of colonial systems.

Adding an academic dimension, Associate Professor Murat Ozkaleli of ADA University highlighted the institutional efforts in Azerbaijan to foster a deeper understanding of colonialism. “The study of colonialism and forms of resistance to it is included in educational programs,” he said, pointing to the importance of integrating historical awareness into formal education.

Representing the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, June Christine Marie Soomer offered a poignant reflection on the enduring psychological and cultural scars left by colonial rule. “It can be removed from paper, but it remains in the memory. The truth cannot be erased — even if it is not described in books, it lives in our minds,” she said, emphasizing the need to preserve historical memory.

Organized by the Baku Initiative Group, the event marks the first international conference bringing together scholars engaged in decolonization efforts across various United Nations bodies, alongside leading experts in the field.

The conference focuses on critical discussions surrounding the persistent obstruction by colonial powers in completing the decolonization process—an obligation enshrined in international law and affirmed by numerous UN resolutions. Participants are examining how to leverage existing instruments within international institutions, establish more effective mechanisms, and confront systemic inequalities embedded in global governance structures. The aim is to identify concrete strategies to advance decolonization and ensure accountability in the implementation of international legal mandates.

By Vafa Guliyeva