In a recent interview with Russia’s VGTRK and RIA Novosti, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev strongly criticized France’s illegal occupation of Mayotte and New Caledonia, asserting that Baku “wholeheartedly supports disenfranchised peoples.”
Aliyev condemned the violence in New Caledonia, where riots led to 13 deaths, over 100 injuries, and more than 1,000 arrests, blaming the French government for its heavy-handed response.
Aliyev further condemned France’s actions, emphasizing that leaders of the protests were forcibly taken to France and imprisoned, labeling it a direct consequence of the Macron regime.
This sharp criticism comes after months of tensions, with France accusing Azerbaijan of backing independence efforts in New Caledonia. In retaliation, Azerbaijan has condemned France’s interference in its internal affairs and its military support for Armenia, continuing to underscore the strained relations between the two nations.
