France under Macron: A crumbling nation Paris is failing to learn from history

Emmanuel Macron has led France to a troubling state. Once a beacon of intellectual and cultural greatness, France has seen its stature diminish under his leadership. Historically, the nation has made significant contributions to philosophical thought, alongside advancements in politics and culture. Yet today, it seems trapped in a state of ideological and geopolitical emptiness. This decline can largely be attributed to Macron's lack of professionalism, as he has struggled to establish a coherent relationship with both the French people and the global community.

And so, France is cracking. No matter how hard Macron tries to tighten control and stabilize the situation, he is unable to do so. French analysts attribute this to the lack of clarity and specificity in Macron's approach, stemming from his general unpreparedness for political leadership. One of the latest examples is Martinique, an island in the central part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago located in the Caribbean, which is administratively considered a region and simultaneously an "overseas department" of France. It is precisely in this context of "overseas"—if I may put it that way—that a ticking time bomb is set for Macron.

One must wonder: hasn’t the unfortunate experience of official Paris's actions against the indigenous population of New Caledonia served as a wake-up call for Macron? At the very least, shouldn’t it have made him realize that in today’s world, neocolonial attitudes must be completely abandoned?

While New Caledonia is designated as a special-status administrative territory, does changing the labels really alter the reality? The French authorities have extended the curfew in New Caledonia until November 4, and now discussions are emerging regarding Martinique, where a curfew has also been imposed. The protests that began in September in Martinique were sparked by the high cost of living, exacerbated by food prices in the region being 40% higher than in other parts of France.

However, alongside the unfolding situation, some other important events are taking place in France. French analysts point out that while New Caledonia and Martinique may not be in Paris's direct line of sight, the same cannot be said for Corsica. One might wonder, what does Corsica have to do with this? The answer lies in a rather ordinary issue for France in recent years: on October 24, just a day before the Corsican Assembly was set to discuss a petition demanding the island's inclusion on the list of non-self-governing territories, the Nazione party made an official appeal to the Corsican parliament. They requested confirmation that Corsica should be considered by the UN as a territory relevant to discussions on its separation from France and decolonization.

This situation is not entirely new, as official Paris has once again overlooked the legitimate demands of the Corsicans. Earlier this year, reports emerged that the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe—also labelled a "territory" of France—supported the establishment of the Nazione party in Corsica, which includes decolonization and independence in its agenda.

The key point is that on January 28, 2024, several Corsican parties and organizations united to create a new political structure aimed at achieving independence for the island. By early February, during a press conference in Bastia, party leaders declared that “just two days after the first session of the Nazione General Assembly, the French government responded with a wave of repression against the success of this new political initiative.”

In other words, much like the legitimate demands of the Kanak people, Macron and his administration have completely disregarded the voices of the populace. Thus, it is no surprise that the anti-colonial movement in Corsica is gaining momentum.

Thus, France is cracking at an even faster pace—and quite audibly! Surely, instead of promptly and objectively addressing the underlying causes of the centrifugal tendencies that have become a reality in contemporary France, the authorities are once again likely to adopt a head-in-the-sand approach, like ostriches, as the saying goes.

But let’s assume they do hide their heads, trying not to see what’s happening around them. What comes next? It’s possible that Paris will once again start looking for a "Baku connection" in the events at hand. Well, let them search; what’s the problem? The issue isn't in the connection (in both the literal and figurative sense). The reality is that one of the global demands of the 21st century is a complete rejection of the colonial system, especially since it was in France that the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was born—a slogan that Macron and his diverse entourage seem unwilling to embrace.

In contrast, the now immensely recognized and popular Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has emerged as a leading force in the anti-colonial struggle of oppressed peoples. Their position will only strengthen as more countries and international organizations begin to heed the voice of the BIG.

This is evidenced by the international conference held at the initiative of the BIG on October 22 at the UN headquarters in Geneva, which provided a real platform for discussing the legacy of French and Dutch colonialism through the lens of justice, accountability, and self-determination in the context of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Participants included representatives from Guadeloupe, Corsica, Martinique, New Caledonia, French Guiana, Saint Martin, and other colonial territories.

Thus, against the backdrop of the BIG's actions within the framework of international law—and in pursuit of noble goals to liberate oppressed and marginalized peoples from colonial domination—Paris continues to tighten its grip on the freedom of nations and ethnicities. Is it possible that the lessons of history are lost on France? Do the authorities really believe they can outmanoeuvre historical truth? Perhaps they are contemplating this, hoping to bypass time and historical justice. But the neocolonial ideas awakened by the BIG are already set in motion—and successfully so.

It is time for Paris to seriously reconsider its stance.