Baku to Host First Congress of Independence Movements
Baku, The Gulf Observer: On July 17-18, 2024, Baku will host a landmark Congress involving leaders from over 15 political parties and independence movements hailing from Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, and Antilles, all regions historically impacted by French colonialism. This significant event is organized by the People’s Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe and is supported by the Baku Initiative Group, according to media reports.
The Congress stems from an initiative by political parties and movements advocating for the independence of French overseas territories. Additionally, three organizations from Bonaire and Saint-Martin, Dutch colonies, will participate as guests of honor.
Over the course of two days, the Congress will facilitate discussions among participating entities on strategies for more cohesive organization and effective coordination in their collective struggle for independence. The focus will be on creating a unified platform to combat French colonialism and sharing best practices and strategies for achieving self-determination.
A key objective of the Congress is to raise international awareness about the numerous crimes and illegal actions committed by the French government against the indigenous populations of these territories. It aims to draw global attention to the broader issue of colonialism, which remains a significant challenge in the 21st century.
The Baku Initiative Group, established during the “Towards the Complete Elimination of Colonialism” conference on July 6, 2023, in Baku, has been instrumental in supporting the freedom struggles of colonized peoples for the past year. This initiative was part of the ministerial meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan. The group has organized approximately 15 international conferences, including four at UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, one in Istanbul, Türkiye, and several others in Baku.
This Congress represents a critical step forward in the global movement to eradicate colonialism and support the self-determination of oppressed peoples.
