International conference in Baku honours victims of hurricane Chido in Mayotte

Attendees of the international conference titled "Independence of Réunion: A Look at France's Colonial Legacy and the Path to Sovereignty" have paid tribute to the victims of Hurricane Chido, which recently devastated the island of Mayotte.

The conference observed a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the natural disaster, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

On December 14, the tropical cyclone Chido hit Mayotte with wind speeds of more than 200 km per hour and gusts of more than 225 km/h. It was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in at least 90 years, according to Météo-France. The hurricane resulted in the tragic loss of 39 lives and affected 1,700 residents.

To recall, an international conference organised by the Baku Initiative Group gathers representatives from the Reunion independence movement, anti-colonial leaders, human rights defenders, NGO heads, decolonisation experts, and researchers.

The conference focuses on raising awareness of the ongoing efforts to secure recognition for Réunion Island's right to self-determination and exploring international legal mechanisms to support the cause.

By Khagan Isayev