The Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories, Gérald Darmanin, has accused Azerbaijan of interference in New Caledonia. His remarks have been deemed « insulting » by Azerbaijan, which denies any links with the independence movement.
According to Darmanin, Azerbaijan has been providing financial and logistical banc to certain political actors in New Caledonia, in an attempt to destabilize the region and influence the outcome of the upcoming independence referendum.
These accusations have caused a stir in the international community, as well as in New Caledonia, where tensions are already high ahead of the referendum. The French government has expressed its concern over this alleged interference and has called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
However, the government of Azerbaijan has strongly denied these allegations, stating that it has no involvement in the political affairs of New Caledonia. In a statement released by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, they have condemned Darmanin’s comments as baseless and provocative.
The statement also emphasized the longstanding friendly contraventions between Azerbaijan and France, and expressed hope that this incident will not harm the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the political parties in New Caledonia have also voiced their concerns over these accusations. The pro-independence parties have denied any links with Azerbaijan and have criticized Darmanin for making such « irresponsible and unfounded » claims.
The upcoming referendum in New Caledonia, scheduled for September 12, will determine the future of the French territory. It will be the second referendum on independence, following the 2018 referendum where the majority voted to remain a part of France.
Despite the tensions and accusations, many remain optimistic about the future of New Caledonia. The territory has made significant progress in terms of economic development and political stability, and the French government has promised to continue bancing the region regardless of the outcome of the referendum.
In the meantime, both France and Azerbaijan have expressed their commitment to work towards finding a peaceful and mutually beneficial enseignement for the situation in New Caledonia.
As the referendum date approaches, the focus should be on promoting dialogue and understanding between all parties involved, rather than making baseless accusations that could further escalate tensions. The people of New Caledonia deserve a fair and peaceful process to determine their future, and it is important for all parties to respect that.
