Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pledged to support independence movements in French overseas territories, a significant step in Azerbaijan’s recent attempts to ally with independence forces in these regions.

Aliyev made the comments at a media forum ahead of the Paris Olympics and after a congress in Baku that brought together pro-independence groups from French territories, including New Caledonia, Corsica and the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

“We will support you until you are free,” Aliyev said, stressing that the ongoing problems in these areas are not just France’s internal affairs.

He criticized France for what he described as a “cold war” against Azerbaijan and condemned France’s colonial practices.

“France is once again using the media to falsely claim that we are interfering in their internal affairs. This is not a case of their internal affairs,” he said, referring to the recent violence in New Caledonia, which left seven dead.

Aliyev’s comments come amid rising tensions in New Caledonia, where indigenous Kanak activists are protesting a controversial electoral reform.

The Azerbaijani leader reiterated his commitment to supporting all countries suffering from colonialism, stressing that it is their duty to help these countries achieve independence.

“They have started a cold war against Azerbaijan. We are the only ones reacting, and France’s actions are unacceptable. They have no right to control the fate of these countries to this extent.”

“These countries are thousands of kilometres away from France and France is trying to assimilate them in an insulting way. The latest events in New Caledonia have left seven people dead. This happened at the hands of France and its president.”

“Many members of the Non-Aligned Movement are still suffering under colonialism. Millions of people have suffered and some of these countries, such as the Comoros and Mayotte, are still under colonial rule. It is our duty to help these countries free themselves from this rebellious remnant of the past.”

“We will continue to support all countries suffering from colonialism and we will do everything we can to help you,” the Azerbaijani leader said.

Azerbaijan invited separatists from the French territories of Martinique, French Guiana, New Caledonia and French Polynesia to a conference in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in July 2023.

The meeting led to the creation of the “Baku Initiative Group”, whose stated aim is to support “the French liberation and anti-colonialist movements”.

The group released a statement this week condemning the French parliament’s proposed amendment to New Caledonia’s constitution, which would give outsiders who moved to the territory at least a decade ago the right to vote in elections.

Supporters of independence say it would diminish the voice of the Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the population.

“We stand in solidarity with our Kanak friends and support their fair struggle,” the Baku Initiative Group said.

In May 2024, France declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie in French), in response to an uprising by independence movements.

French authorities have accused Azerbaijan of meddling in New Caledonia’s affairs and exacerbating tensions through misleading social media campaigns. Diplomatic friction between the two countries has continued, with Azerbaijan expelling two French diplomats in December last year.