Final Statement
"TOWARDS THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF COLONIALISM"
The 1st event organized in Baku, Azerbaijan
July 6 2023
On July 6, round table on "Towards the Complete Elimination of Colonialism" was held in Baku at the initiative of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) within the framework of the ministerial meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event was dedicated to the people subjected to colonialism all over the world, especially the last French colonies in the Caribbean Islands, South America, the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, allowed all interested parties to exchange views on the consequences of the colonial policy of France in the respective countries.
The Non-Aligned Movement’s duty, which unites 120 countries from all the continents, as a global platform for the anti-colonial struggle based on the fundamental principles of international law, as well as the “Bandung Principles” and interests of peoples, is to define new goals to support the peoples who are still fighting against colonial rule.
The independence supporters from Martinique, French Guiana, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna reaffirmed and emphasized the validity of the Non-Aligned Movement's principled position in the fight against colonial and neocolonial practices at the initiative of the AIR Center.
As a result of discussions, it was pointed out that the harmful colonial policy threatens not only the future but even the existence of these people in the long term:
- In French Guiana, the socio-economic situation is extremely severe; more than half of the population is on the verge of poverty with the unemployment rate of 30%; natural resources are being exploited while the French government owns 90% of the land privately.
- Martinique and Guadeloupe have to deal with two major disasters: genocide by replacement as a part of clandestine colonization strategies, and chlordecone poisoning, which has resulted in record rates of cancer and caused serious damage to natural ecosystems and public health.
- The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) in New Caledonia rejects the third referendum in 2021 and reaffirms the right of the colonized people of New Caledonia to be independent.
- Polynesia is now fully engaged in the prospect of decolonization, and Mr. Oscar Temaru's party "Tavini huiraatira no te Ao Maohi" seeks to obtain observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement.
In general, the anti-colonial movements in Baku, supported by the non-governmental diplomatic network of the Afrika Mundus sphere, demand compensation for colonial crimes that affected both people of African descent and indigenous peoples, while urging all governments and international organizations, including the United Nations, to support efforts in ensuring the protection of their fundamental rights.
They pledge to continue and deepen their fight for complete liberation of their people and the elimination of colonialism in order to establish a new approach to international relations based on international cooperation among nations, respect for national equality, and sovereignty.
The parties agreed on the establishment of the Baku Initiative Group against French colonialism and expressed their willingness to continue cooperation.
Chairman of the AIR Center
Farid Shafiyev
The Kanak and the Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia
Roc Wamytan
Michael Forrest
Magali Tingal
Decolonization and Social Emancipation Movement
Maurice Pindard
Cindy Pollux
Jean-Victor Castor
Martinique Freedom Party
Francis Carol
Movement of Democrats and Environmentalists for Sovereign Martinique
Claudette Duhamel
Tawini Huiraatira no te Ao Maohi
Oscar Temaru
Anthony Geros
Leon Tefau
Ella Tokaragi
"Africa Mundus" network
Emmanuel Argo
Edwin Dhaiti
