The role of China and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the unrest in French Caledonia

According to the international group Tasnim News Agency, the recent unrest in New Caledonia is condemned It has provoked Paris, because the French authorities accuse the Republic of Azerbaijan of interfering in the affairs of this region. But analysts believe that China can take advantage of the unrest by taking advantage of the possible destabilization of French influence in the region. explores the development in an article titled “Revolt in Paradise” published in the Journal of International Politics and Society.

Graar says that the unstable situation in the archipelago often sets the stage for Foreign intervention provides before the start of internal unrest.

The French government condemns the possible intervention of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In July 2023, the Republic of Azerbaijan took the initiative to create a Baku Initiative Group to support freedom movements against French colonialism. After that, on April 18, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Congress of New Caledonia and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. Before the violence began, the flags of the Republic of Azerbaijan adorned pro-independence marches, solidarity with the Kanak people was loudly expressed, and “French oppression” was condemned.

Although foreign intervention may directly

The contrast between Baku’s actions in New Caledonia and Russia’s anti-Western maneuvers elsewhere, including support for pro-independence movements, Draws parallels. Pro-Putin posters have been seen at pro-independence demonstrations and anti-French rhetoric on social media reflects Russia’s views.

Russian support for the independence policy has intensified since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Experts believe that China can be a significant winner in the background of these developments. Beijing seeks to challenge Western dominance in the South Pacific to expand its political, economic and military positions. Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang, human rights and maritime disputes interact. In addition, Beijing controls the region’s natural resources by implementing infrastructure projects that may have dual military use.

After a security treaty with the Solomon Islands in 2022, China It is concluding similar agreements with other countries of the island. The discussion of financial support for New Caledonia indicates Beijing’s strategic interests, and there are currently talks about possible security cooperation.

China’s strategy is based on freeing island countries from Western influence and It uses the unrest to discredit French and Western involvement. New Caledonia’s nickel deposits are particularly important because Beijing sees weakening French influence as useful for its regional policies. The present is unstable, he adds. Paris and its allies are eager to resolve the issue soon, but the complexity of the issues complicates efforts. Restoring law and order is still a key challenge, and both sides are pushing for a compromise to start the trust-building process. It worsened. In September 2022, bloody clashes on the border of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, followed by an Azerbaijani military operation, led to the return of Baku’s full control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the withdrawal of Armenians from the region. At the time when France increased its public political and military support for Armenia, the relations between Baku and Paris became tense.

During this period, the French authorities accused the Republic of Azerbaijan of violating the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. and threatened the territorial integrity of Armenia, while Baku accused France of supporting separatism in Azerbaijan and preparing Armenia for the next war by arming.

Relations, in December of last year, the Republic of Azerbaijan expelled two diplomats working in the French Embassy in Baku. Paris did the same in response. Azerbaijan also arrested a French citizen living in Baku on charges of espionage.

On the other hand, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Non-Aligned Movement conferences held in Baku in March 2023 and then in July held, accusing France of neo-colonialism.

In July 2023, a conference was held in Baku that brought together separatists and supporters of independence from French overseas territories, including New Caledonia.

At the end of the conference, “Baku Initiative Group” was created to fight against “French colonialism”. This group has recently held events, meetings and campaigns around this issue.

Over the past year, the number of articles accusing France of “colonialism” in the media close to the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has increased. , including in Azerbaijan’s state intelligence agency, which usually accuses France of “colonialism”, has increased. The flags of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the portraits of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev have appeared in the pro-independence protests in New Caledonia. In New Caledonia, it condemned and pointed out that the French government was responsible for the unrest and expressed its support for the local Kanak people.

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