Baku Initiative Group demands international action against France's occupation of Mayotte

The Baku Initiative Group, based on the results of the international conference "Illegal French Occupation of Mayotte Island of Comoros Union", which took place in Baku on September 3, sent an official letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the President of the European Commission, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and the Chair of the African Union.

The letter raises significant concerns about France's illegal occupation of the island of Mayotte, underscoring it as a violation of international law, Caliber.Az reports.

It highlights that France is using its permanent position on the UN Security Council to obstruct attempts to address this breach. Furthermore, France is ignoring resolutions from numerous international bodies, including the UN General Assembly, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the African Union.

The Baku Initiative Group has called for an international conference on the occupation of Mayotte Island and to support the establishment of working groups within the listed organisations to end the occupation and restore international law.

Notably, the Baku Initiative Group against French colonialism was established at the event “Towards the Complete Elimination of Colonialism,” held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event was organised by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and provided a platform for discussing strategies to end France’s neo-colonial policies.

France's colonial empire, which began in the 16th century, peaked between the two world wars and was the second-largest colonial empire globally, behind the British Empire. France held colonies in North America, the Caribbean, India, Africa, Indochina, and the South Pacific. Its objectives were to spread the French language and Catholicism, and to advance the so-called “Civilising Mission.”

The French colonial endeavour faced resistance from the colonised peoples, who fought to reclaim their autonomy and freedom. In Burkina Faso, formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, the Mossi people established powerful kingdoms in the 11th and 13th centuries. In 1896, the country was colonised by the French, and in 1958, it became a self-governing colony within the French Community. It achieved full independence in 1960, with Maurice Yaméogo as its president.

The Baku Initiative Group against French colonialism was formed to take decisive action against de facto slavery on the African continent and in various other regions worldwide. The statement adopted at the event calls for the complete eradication of colonialism and the promotion of autonomy and freedom for all colonised peoples.