Baku’s Manipulation of Anti-Colonial Narratives Against France in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Since 2023, Azerbaijan has intensified a campaign of false narratives against France, escalating into hybrid warfare by 2024. This campaign is driven by France’s criticism of Azerbaijan’s expansionist policies and actions against Armenia and its defense cooperation with Armenia. Azerbaijan’s anti-French information warfare has various aspects. Two of those—the France-Armenia partnership and the manipulation of anti-colonial narratives in the French Overseas Territories and Corsica––have been explored in our previous articles. This piece examines a third aspect: Azerbaijan’s exploitation of anti-colonial narratives against France among Sub-Saharan African nations.

Channels of Azerbaijan’s Anti-French Propaganda in African States

The most recent manifestation of Azerbaijan’s manipulation of anti-French narratives in Africa was the “International Conference on the Neo-Colonialist Policy of France in Africa” organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) on October 3, 2024. This was the 16th event held in Baku under the banner of anti-colonialism and the first one focused on Africa. According to BIG, political figures, diplomats, experts, journalists and civil society representatives from 11 African countries, as well as Mayotte (a French Overseas Territory in Africa), took part in the event. Despite the apparent attendance of no more than 20 participants, the Azerbaijani propaganda machine and international lobbyists have tried to brand it as a conference that “raises the bar for dialogue on French Neocolonialism in Africa.” 

BIG is a state-sponsored non-governmental organization that was created in Azerbaijan in July 2023. After using its presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement as a diplomatic tool to advance its narratives, Baku created BIG at the end of its term to sustain and develop that campaign. BIG’s slogan is ”Union, Liberty and Independence”, and its declared objective is “supporting the struggles for freedom and independence of those living under colonial and neocolonial rule, committing to solidarity and practical assistance.” However, it soon became apparent that BIG was primarily created to conduct information warfare against France and, at times, other Western states critical of Azerbaijan. BIG has become a platform for representatives from French Overseas Territories and Africa to speak out against French policies and influence, which they view as remnants of colonialism. 

It is not clear whether the timing was coincidental or intentional, but an “anti-colonial” conference focused on Africa was held in Baku during the same week as the 19th Summit of the Organisation internationale of la Francophonie (OIF) on October 4-5. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie adopted a “Resolution on crisis situations in the Francophone space, overcoming them and strengthening of peace.” This resolution condemned Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed support for Armenia’s independence and sovereignty. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry promptly denounced the resolution, and BIG echoed it. They questioned the credibility of the organization, suggesting it was a political tool used by France to pressure other nations, and recommended it “focus on the crimes committed by the French Government in the Overseas Territories under French domination.” 

Both Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry and BIG condemned the detention of Beninian anti-colonial activist Kemi Seba in France as a human rights violation. Seba had participated in the BIG’s conference “on French Neocolonialism in Africa”. French law enforcement have charged him with inciting anti-French and racial hatred, as well as alleged links to the Russian paramilitary Wagner group and foreign interference in France. Known as a “black supremacist” provoking anti-French and anti-Western sentiments, Seba was deprived of French citizenship in July 2024.

BIG is not the only channel through which Azerbaijan conveys its anti-French narratives among African nations. When Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev received the ambassador of Burkina-Faso for the handover of his credentials on August 5, 2024, he dedicated a significant part of the meeting to voicing anti-French sentiments. Aliyev mentioned France’s biased position towards Azerbaijan, asserting that “France had shown its true colors and acted unfairly against Azerbaijan at the UN and the EU following Azerbaijan’s liberation of its lands.” He stated that Azerbaijan has “raised its voice against… colonial policies of France” and “called for independence and freedom for peoples subjected to colonial oppression by France.” It is worth noting that Burkina Faso has been independent since 1960.

Aliyev emphasized the role of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations in the international non-governmental movement to the ambassador of Burkina Faso and on other occasions, thereby delegating the responsibility to the “civil society”. However, there is no independent civil society in Azerbaijan. Human rights watchdogs have pointed out that most genuine activists in Azerbaijan face arbitrary detention and prosecution. Aliyev expressed public appreciation of BIG’s work during the Media Forum held by Azerbaijan in Shushi on July 24, 2024. 

On October 24, 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia. The Resolution condemns Azerbaijan’s support for “irredentist groups and disinformation operations targeting France,” and “regrets the smear campaign aimed at damaging France’s reputation.” French members of the European Parliament from different political forces played an active role in its adoption. Azerbaijan’s parliament reacted to the resolution with a statement claiming that the resolution is “based on the false narratives of France, Armenia, and the Armenian lobby.” It has also accused the European Parliament of “chauvinistic, racist, and colonial thinking,” and claimed that “by labelling the peoples fighting against colonialism as irredentist groups, European parliamentarians justify France’s colonial policies, framing them as part of European politics.” 

Azerbaijani Interpretation of the Narratives on French Neo-colonialism in Africa 

Azerbaijan supports a narrative that resonates with African sentiments regarding the lasting impact of France’s colonial legacy in Africa. It implies that while former French colonies have gained formal independence, France continues to politically interfere or subject these nations to colonial economic exploitation. Azerbaijan claims to support anti-colonial movements in Africa that resist “external interference,” which it associates with France’s “neo-colonial practices”. The country encourages African nations to assertively claim their independence and sovereignty from France. BIG refers to Azerbaijan’s notion of sovereignty and non-interference in its domestic affairs of other nations as a role model. This notion of sovereignty is typical for authoritarian regimes.

During the BIG’s conference “on French Neocolonialism in Africa”, Vasif Huseynov, a geopolitical expert from the government-sponsored AIR Center, quoted the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Sovereignty is not given; it is taken,” announcing that these words resonate deeply today, especially in Africa. 

A Disingenuous Narrative

Decolonized nations, especially in Africa, often harbor resentment toward former colonial powers and concerns about their neocolonial practices and continued influence. Some of this resentment may be justified and has contributed to development and governance challenges in African countries.

However, it is hypocritical for Azerbaijan to manipulate post-colonial grievances as a coercive diplomatic tool for its own political agenda. Most African nations gained independence and sovereignty decades ago. Azerbaijan condemns France for having been a colonial power more than half a century ago, while it has a much worse and very recent record of colonialism. 

While Azerbaijan positions itself as a former Soviet republic with an experience of colonialism, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be viewed in the context of Soviet colonization. Azerbaijan has manipulated the principles of sovereignty and non-interference, rejecting any level of self-governance for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and seeking to subjugate them. Through successive wars and blockades, it has achieved the complete dissolution of Nagorno-Karabakh and the ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population. While Azerbaijan claims to have “liberated its lands” from Armenians, it has in fact suppressed the liberation movement and prevented decolonization of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.

Azerbaijan, as well as Russia, advocating for non-interference in the region, criticize the roles of France, the EU and the U.S. as mediators in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process  and as contributors to peace and security in the South Caucasus. Baku suggests that France’s support for Armenia is neocolonial meddling, linking France to negative colonial associations in Africa. However, Armenia-France relations are merely an advanced partnership. 

While Azerbaijan portrays itself as a sovereign state rejecting foreign interference, it maintains a close relationship with Turkey based on the “One nation, two states” notion. Using this same idea, Azerbaijan promotes Atatürk as a role model for African “non-interference” and “liberation,” in spite of his role in the Armenian genocide, as well as massacres and forced displacement of other ethnic groups. 

Ironically, Azerbaijan itself has become an external actor in Africa, interfering in its politics while claiming to support non-interference. As Baku fights French influence in Africa, it increasingly exerts its own, potentially creating new dependencies for African nations.

Azerbaijan’s Narrative Around “Dutch Colonial Policy”

Azerbaijan has primarily targeted France in an anti-colonial context. However, since August 2024, Azerbaijan has also begun denouncing the Netherlands’ colonial policy in its overseas territories, focusing on Bonaire in the Caribbean. Azerbaijan’s anti-Dutch rhetoric intensified in September 2024, claiming that the Netherlands continues to suppress the freedom of six Caribbean nations that are Dutch Overseas territories. 

On October 12, 2024, the Foreign Relations Committee of the Dutch Parliament adopted two resolutions urging Azerbaijan to preserve Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and release Armenian captives. In its condemnation of these resolutions, Azerbaijan cited the “colonial past of the Netherlands with numerous instances of subjugation and exploitation of various peoples across Asia, Africa and the Americas,” referencing “crimes committed against them,” “brutal tactics,” and “looting of the national wealth of the countries under colonial rule.” 

The Dutch maintained colonies in contemporary Ghana from 1598-1872, in South Africa from 1652-1795 and 1803-1806, and briefly in other territories. The year 1872 marks the end of Dutch colonization in Africa, with both South Africa and Ghana subsequently taken over by the British in 1806 and 1872, respectively. 

Interestingly, Azerbaijan has not criticized the UK––with whom it has close partnership––for its colonial legacy. This suggests that Azerbaijan selectively targets states that criticize it and support Armenians, aiming to blackmail them into ensuring impunity for its own policies and actions.

Mayotte’s Case

Mayotte, along with New Caledonia and Martinique, has become a prime target for Azerbaijan’s anti-French propaganda. In September 2024, BIG held a separate conference on Mayotte’s decolonization, with active participation of representatives from the Comoros representatives. 

Mayotte is an island in the Indian Ocean, strategically located in the Mozambique Channel and part of the Comoros archipelago. In 1974, while the other three islands of the archipelago opted for independence from France through a referendum in 1974––leading to the Comoros’ declaration of independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to remain a French Overseas Territory. A subsequent referendum, held exclusively in Mayotte in 1976, saw 99.4% of the population reaffirm their desire to remain a French territory rather than join the Comoros. 

In 2000, Mayotte’s status was put to a vote for the third time, and its population voted in favor of greater integration with France, moving towards becoming a “department” of France. In the most recent referendum in 2009, 95.2% of Mayotte’s population voted to become a full-fledged department of France. The alternatives were to maintain the status of a French collectivity or potentially seek association with the Comoros. In 2011, Mayotte officially became France’s 101st department, ensuring greater access to French social services and legal systems. 

As of 2023, Mayotte’s population was estimated to be around 300,000 people. The population has been growing rapidly due to high birth rates and immigration, mainly from the Comoros and surrounding regions, attracted by better living conditions and opportunities. This growth has led to social divides, immigration pressures, and economic challenges related to housing, healthcare, education, poverty, and civil unrest.

The Comoros has claimed sovereignty over Mayotte, viewing the island’s continued status as a French territory as colonialism and violation of its territorial integrity. According to the Comoros authorities, Mayotte should have joined the rest of the archipelago in forming the independent state of Comoros, based on the principle of territorial unity. The Comoros has raised the issue at the UN, which passed a resolution in 1975 calling for negotiations. In response, France has cited Mayotte’s choice to remain a French territory. This has led to tensions between France and the Comoros since the latter’s independence. Recently, the Comoros has begun appealing to the African Union, Non-Aligned Movement, and Organization of Islamic Conference for support in the Mayotte issue. 

Azerbaijan’s manipulation of this complex issue is disingenuous. While Azerbaijan supports the Comoros’ territorial claim of sovereignty over Mayotte, it has accused Armenia of a territorial claim over Nagorno-Karabakh against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is consistent in its dismissal of the democratic choices made through referendums in both Mayotte and Nagorno-Karabakh. However, these two cases differ: Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians chose to secede from Azerbaijan, while the population of Mayotte opted to remain a French territory. 

Commonalities With Russian Anti-French Narratives

Azerbaijan’s narratives on French influence in Africa resemble those employed by Russia, China and Turkey regarding Western dominance over developing countries. These narratives argue that the West—along with multilateral organizations like the EU and even the UN—imposes human rights and democracy-related preconditions for providing security or economic assistance to Africa. Some circles in African countries perceive this as interference in their internal affairs and sovereignty, designed to maintain their dependence. In contrast, Russia, China, and Turkey claim that they assist developing countries in Africa without such preconditions. This includes economic assistance by China and Turkey, and Russian Wagner’s purported security services in Africa. However, Moscow’s actions in Africa often fail to meet the continent’s development goals, and Wagner has started experiencing serious challenges in Sahel. Russia has claimed that France maintained its presence in Africa to exploit natural resources. However, since 2022, reports have emerged about Wagner’s own engagement in the exploitation of minerals in Africa. Nevertheless, the Russian disinformation campaign played a significant role in stirring up anti-French public opinion in the region. 

The French intervention policy in Sahel is largely considered a failure. According to experts, the reasons for the failure of the French anti-jihadist military operation in the Sahel are complex. They stem primarily from the complexity of the threat itself and, consequently, the strategies involved. The French anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane deployed in 2013, withdrew from Mali in 2022 and from Burkina Faso and Niger in 2023. This withdrawal followed demands from local authorities who had come to power through military coups. These new regimes began collaborating with Wagner as an alternative security provider in 2021, accusing the French of failing to combat jihadists effectively. In 2023, Mali also demanded the withdrawal of MINUSMA, the UN peacekeeping mission. As a consequence, the EU Peace Facility ceased its assistance, and EU missions established under the Common Security and Defense Policy also withdrew. While authorities in these countries trusted Wagner, the group began experiencing significant defeats by jihadists starting in July 2024. 

In a related development, Russia and Azerbaijan have been attempting to discredit France to prevent its support to Armenia’s defense sector. In March 2024, the spokesperson of the Russian MFA Maria Zakharova stated that France is compensating in the South Caucasus for “its failures in Africa”. In contrast, Moscow is claiming that it has fulfilled its peacekeeping role in the South Caucasus. A comparison of Russian and French peacekeeping shows significant differences between them; however, it is not in favor of Russia.

France has contributed to African security by initiating UN Security Council resolutions for peacekeeping in several conflict-affected countries. For instance, in the Central African Republic (CAR), France advocated for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution authorizing peacekeeping in December 2013. The deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission takes time, and before it was set up, France immediately deployed Operation Sangaris. As African Union, European Union and UN peacekeeping operations became operational in 2014, Sangaris began handing over its functions to them and withdrew in 2016.

In contrast, Russia blocked UN Security Council resolutions on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation in 2020-2023 and deployed a mission without an international mandate. Russia monopolized peacekeeping in Nagorno-Karabakh, preventing any international organization—be it the OSCE, UN or EU—from deploying a presence there. Consequently, Russia became complicit in Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians.

Wider Objectives of Azerbaijan’s Anti-French Campaign in Africa

This campaign aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader coercive diplomatic strategy and aims to achieve the following:

• Challenge France’s global influence by amplifying anti-colonial narratives in international forums. As a NATO, EU and UN Security Council (SC) permanent member, France has criticized Azerbaijan and supported Armenia. Azerbaijan hopes that by stoking anti-French movements in New Caledonia and Africa, it can distract France from the South Caucasus, thereby ensuring impunity for its own actions and preventing substantial French support for Armenia. 
• Employ accusations of neocolonialism against France and other European nations as counter-narratives in response to European Parliament resolutions critical of Azerbaijan and supportive of Armenia.
• Increase its influence in Africa and secure votes and alliances with African nations that have significant representation in UN bodies, particularly the Security Council. This strategy also aims to counterbalance Azerbaijan’s non-participation in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
• Leverage its recent four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement to build alliances in the Global South and extend its influence in Africa. Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a champion against “Western colonialism and neo-colonialism” and a “defender of historical justice, equality and respect for sovereignty.” This approach also supports Azerbaijan’s ambitions as a middle-power.

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