International Conference Addresses the Illegal French Occupation of Mayotte Island
An international conference entitled “The Illegal French Occupation of Mayotte Island of the Union of Comoros” was convened in Baku on September 3, organized by the esteemed Baku Initiative Group. This significant gathering brought together an array of distinguished representatives from the Union of Comoros, including public and political figures, diplomats, academics from the scientific community, representatives of international organizations, human rights advocates, heads of non-governmental organizations, and media representatives.
The discussions during the conference centered on France’s colonial legacy in the Comoros and the ramifications of its ongoing occupation of Mayotte. Participants examined the detrimental effects of this occupation on the Comorian population, as well as the geopolitical and economic ambitions of France in the region. Furthermore, the participants addressed the perspectives held by the Union of Comoros and various international entities regarding the status of Mayotte.
Abbas Abbasov, the Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, articulated the plight experienced by the people of Comoros and Mayotte under French colonial rule, reaffirming their relentless pursuit of freedom. “In recent months, Baku has hosted international forums focusing on the struggles for liberty faced by nations historically afflicted by colonial rule. The Baku Initiative Group stands firmly in support of oppressed peoples’ liberation endeavors,” Mr. Abbasov conveyed. He voiced optimism that the current conference would extend essential support to the freedom movement of Mayotte.
Ahmed Tabet, a member of the Mayotte Independence Committee, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support provided by the Government of Azerbaijan and the Baku Initiative Group. He detailed the ongoing independence struggle of his nation, asserting, “France continues to implement a colonial policy against our people. The independence of the Comoros was recognized by the United Nations. However, after 1975, France re-established military presence in Mayotte, in direct contravention of a UN resolution calling for its withdrawal.”
Mohamed Toihiri, the former representative of the Union of Comoros at the United Nations, remarked on France’s entrenched neocolonial policies, stating that the lives of indigenous people continue to be jeopardized through displacement and violence, with thousands suffering casualties or being forcibly evicted from their homeland. He urged for constitutional amendments pertaining to the Comoros Islands, condemning France’s actions as a violation of international law and the rights of the native populace. “We shall persist in our quest for freedom until the very end,” Mr. Toihiri emphatically insisted.
Other contributors to the conference reiterated concerns regarding the illegal occupation imposed by France, discussing the extensive ramifications for the Comoros people and the broader implications of French colonialism. They affirmed the universal right of nations to self-determination as stipulated by international law, which warrants protection and respect.
The conference was enhanced with visual presentations that documented the historical struggles of Mayotte. In a significant development, the Baku Initiative Group and the Maore Committee of Mayotte formalized their cooperation through the signing of an agreement. The event concluded with the adoption of a final statement, underscoring the collective commitment to the pursuit of justice and autonomy for the island of Mayotte.
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