Baku hosts international conference on “Illegal French Occupation of Mayotte Island of Union of Comoros”
Organized by the Baku Initiative Group, the international conference on the “Illegal French Occupation of Mayotte Island of the Union of Comoros,” took place in Baku.
The conference brought together representatives from the Union of Comoros, as well as public and political figures, diplomats, members of the scientific community, representatives of international organizations, human rights activists, heads of non-governmental organizations, and media representatives.
Participants explored France's colonial history in the Comoros, the occupation of Mayotte by France, the damage inflicted on the Comorian people, France’s geopolitical and economic interests in the region, and the positions of the Union of Comoros and international organizations regarding Mayotte.
Addressing the event, Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, highlighted the suffering of the Comoros and Mayotte islands under French colonialism and their ongoing struggle for freedom.
“In recent months, Baku has hosted international conferences on the freedom struggles of peoples and countries affected by colonialism. The Baku Initiative Group supports the liberation struggle of oppressed peoples,” Abbas Abbasov stated.
He expressed confidence that the current conference would also support the freedom struggle of Mayotte.
Ahmed Tabet, a member of the Mayotte Independence Committee, expressed appreciation for the support of the Government of Azerbaijan and the Baku Initiative Group. He emphasized his country's struggle for independence, stating, "France is pursuing a colonial policy against our people. The independence of the Comoros was recognized by the UN. After 1975, France again stationed its army in Mayotte. Although there is a UN resolution calling for the withdrawal of the French army from Mayotte, the colonial country ignores it and thus opposes international law."
“The neocolonialism policy by France is still ongoing in our islands. People are suffering, being resettled from one place to another. As a result, thousands of indigenous people have lost their lives, and more than ten thousand have been expelled from the island,” Mohamed Toihiri, former representative of the Union of Comoros at the UN, said. He emphasized the need to amend the Constitution concerning the Comoros Islands. He criticized France for acting against international law principles and disregarding the rights of the indigenous people. “We will continue fighting for freedom until the end," Toihiri underscored.
Other speakers also addressed the illegal occupation of the Comoros by France, the damage caused to the Comoros people, and the challenges posed by French colonialism. They reaffirmed that every nation has the right to self-determination under international law, and these rights must be protected.
The event featured footage highlighting the history of Mayotte and its struggle for freedom.
As a part of the conference, the Baku Initiative Group and the Maore Committee of Mayotte, under French colonial rule, inked a cooperation agreement.
The conference concluded with the adoption of a final statement.
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