BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. On January 21, 2025, Azerbaijan hosted a significant session of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), dedicated to addressing the colonial legacy of La Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean still grappling with the consequences of French domination. The event provided a platform to examine the ongoing impacts of colonial policies and foster international dialogue on decolonization.
“While this administrative status [of becoming a French department in 1946] formally ended colonial rule, the same cannot be said for the status of the island’s indigenous populations, who continue to endure the dictates of the French Metropole,” La Gazette du Caucase writes in its article. The publication emphasized that, despite formal integration into France, the island’s political, social, and economic structures remain entrenched in a colonial mindset.
Under the theme “La Réunion: A Paradise Under Occupation,” the conference explored both historical and contemporary aspects of French colonial practices. Activists from La Réunion pointed out systemic inequalities, including economic dependency, land ownership disparities, and cultural marginalization. As La Gazette du Caucase noted, “Economic dependency remains a critical issue. The island relies heavily on imports, benefiting metropolitan businesses while marginalizing local industries.”
The event also underscored the broader implications of colonialism. Representatives from other French overseas territories shared similar struggles, reinforcing that these are not isolated cases but part of a systemic issue. According to La Gazette du Caucase, the forced sterilizations of women and the deportation of thousands of children from La Réunion to mainland France between 1963 and 1982 exemplified colonial brutality. “These children were taken from their families under the guise of providing better opportunities but often faced harsh conditions and exploitation,” the article stated.
The article also drew parallels between French colonial practices and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. La Gazette du Caucase highlighted that Azerbaijan’s focus on colonial issues is not coincidental, given France’s support for Armenian separatists in Karabakh. The publication argued, “Armenia invaded Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and surrounding regions in 1993... This mirrors a classic colonial tactic: invading a land, claiming it, and replacing the original population and culture with another.”
Abbas Abbasov, chief of the BIG, reiterated the group’s mission to combat such injustices. He stated that the BIG operates in line with the United Nations’ decolonization agenda but “more effectively, as it is not subject to vetoes from colonial powers.”
This conference not only spotlighted the plight of La Réunion but also emphasized Azerbaijan’s role as a supporter of global decolonization efforts. By hosting discussions on topics such as self-determination and historical justice, Azerbaijan underscored its commitment to amplifying the voices of those fighting for freedom from colonial and neo-colonial rule.
As La Gazette du Caucase concluded, “The people of La Réunion are mobilizing to reclaim their freedom.” The Baku Initiative Group has positioned itself as a vital platform for this struggle, reflecting the interconnected nature of decolonization movements worldwide.