New Caledonian official faces backlash for wearing hat with logo of Baku Initiative Group

On January 12, New Caledonia traditionally commemorated the fighters for independence.

During a ceremony in the city of Canala, New Caledonian government member Mickaël Forrest emphasised the significance of this day, noting that it symbolizes respect for the courage and determination of the leaders of the national liberation struggle, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Amid recent attacks by French officials and their supporters on Azerbaijan, Forrest appeared on the state-owned Franceinfo.1 channel wearing a hat featuring the logo of the Baku Initiative Group, expressing solidarity with Azerbaijan. This act sparked criticism from supporters of France’s stance in New Caledonia.

On January 14, Philippe Blaise, a member of the New Caledonian Congress and the first vice president of the Southern Region, referred to the minister as the "Baku helmet," further escalating tensions.

The Day of Remembrance is linked to the tragic events of January 12, 1985, when prominent members of the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front Eloi Machoro and Marcel Nonnaro, were killed by French soldiers. This day has since become a symbol of remembrance and the ongoing fight for independence in New Caledonia. 

The Baku Initiative Group, which was established on July 6, 2023, during the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement chaired by Azerbaijan, has played a crucial role in supporting independence movements. BIG has already organised up to 15 international conferences, including sessions at the UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, as well as in Istanbul and Baku, aiming to highlight colonialism as a persistent global issue in the 21st century.

By Naila Huseynova