France accuses Azerbaijan of interfering in its Pacific territory, New Caledonia, by supporting independence movements and spreading disinformation, amid wider geopolitical tensions.
France has accused Azerbaijan of interfering in its territory of New Caledonia, an archipelago in the Pacific.
Despite the great geographic and cultural distance between the Caspian Sea state and the French Pacific territory, this claim is rooted in a complex network of historical, political and diplomatic tensions.
The crisis in New Caledonia
New Caledonia, located between Australia and Fiji, is a French territory which has always sought independence.
The recent unrest in New Caledonia was triggered by a new electoral law perceived as discriminatory by the indigenous Kanak population.
This law grants the right to vote in local elections to people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years, which independence supporters say will dilute the Kanak vote.
France’s accusations
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin publicly stated that Azerbaijan, along with China and Russia, were interfering in New Caledonia’s internal affairs: “This is not a fantasy. C “is a reality,” Mr. Darmanin declared on France 2, emphasizing the seriousness of these allegations.
The French government highlights the sudden appearance of Azerbaijani flags during Kanak independence demonstrations and the support given to the separatists by groups linked to Baku.
Azerbaijan has vehemently denied any involvement, calling the accusations baseless: “We completely reject these baseless accusations,” said Ayhan Hajizadeh, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, “We refute any link between the leaders of the struggle for freedom in Caledonia and Azerbaijan.”
An important element in this story is the Baku Initiative Group, established at a conference in July 2023 in Azerbaijan. This group, which includes participants from various French territories seeking independence, aims to support anti-colonial movements against France.
The group expressed solidarity with the Kanak people and condemned recent electoral reforms in New Caledonia: “We stand in solidarity with our Kanak friends and support their just fight”said the Baku Initiative Group.
Why do France and Azerbaijan clash diplomatically?
Tensions between France and Azerbaijan are not limited to New Caledonia. France is a traditional ally of Armenia, Azerbaijan’s historic rival, particularly with regard to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Following the 2020 war and Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive to regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh, France has openly supported Armenia.
This support includes defense deals and supplies of military equipment, fueling Azerbaijan’s animosity. Gérald Darmanin also described Azerbaijan as a “dictatorship”thus highlighting the deep mistrust that reigns towards this country.
France also accused Azerbaijan of carrying out disinformation campaigns to destabilize its territories. Pro-Azerbaijani social accounts have been linked to the dissemination of misleading content about the actions of French police in New Caledonia.
A French government source mentioned a “fairly massive campaign, with around 4,000 messages generated by (these) accounts”aimed at inciting violence and mistrust.
This follows France’s recall of its ambassador to Azerbaijan in April, with President Macron expressing regret for Azerbaijan’s actions, as well as his hope that the Azerbaijanis would clarify their intentions.
Why New Caledonia?
If Azerbaijan’s direct interest in New Caledonia may seem far-fetched, it is part of a broader strategy of questioning French colonial heritage and supporting separatist movements.
By aligning itself with anti-colonial sentiments, Azerbaijan seeks to position itself as a champion of liberation movements, while discrediting France on the international stage.
This effort is seen as part of a broader geopolitical maneuver, including Azerbaijan’s efforts to tarnish France’s image, as seen in its alleged disinformation campaign against France’s ability to host the Games Olympics.
Increased tensions have had other repercussions. The French Minister of Sports has canceled the passage of the Olympic flame in New Caledonia, for security reasons, but also because of the severity of the unrest and accusations of foreign interference.
Azerbaijan’s involvement in the unrest in New Caledonia is a multifaceted issue, rooted in broader geopolitical rivalries and historical grievances.
For Azerbaijan, supporting independence movements in French territories is a way to retaliate against France for its support of Armenia and strengthen its own international position.
For France, these actions represent a direct challenge to its sovereignty and the stability of its overseas territories, which has sparked strong accusations and increased tensions between Paris and Baku.