France has again accused Azerbaijan of interfering in the internal politics of New Caledonia by backing a disinformation campaign that Paris says is encouraging deadly riots in the French territory located between Australia and Fiji.
A French government agency said on May 17 that France has detected a "massive and coordinated" online campaign accusing French police of shooting pro-independence demonstrators. The agency linked the disinformation efforts to "Azerbaijani actors." Azerbaijan has rejected the claims.
Viginum, the French government's watchdog for online disinformation campaigns, pointed to the manipulation of information on social media platforms over the recent riots in New Caledonia.
"On May 15 and 16, 2024, Viginum detected massive and coordinated dissemination on various platforms of clearly inaccurate or misleading content, accusing French police of firing on pro-independence demonstrators," the agency said.
In recent days New Caledonia has been engulfed in clashes between supporters and opponents of independence. The protests started over an electoral reform law that expanded the voting rights of French nationals living in New Caledonia. Opponents of the law say it will weaken the vote of the local population and increase the influence of Paris.
French authorities in New Caledonia and at the Interior Ministry said that five people, including two police officers, have been killed in the clashes since May 13.
France imposed a state of emergency and deployed military forces to protect ports and airports. High Commissioner Louis Le Franc announced stringent measures under the state of emergency, which will run for at least 11 days, including a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The accusation made on May 17 by Viginum follows the comments of French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanen, who told French television that "some leaders of Caledonia's supporters of independence made a deal with Azerbaijan."
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said the French official’s words were "another baseless opinion" and added on May 17 that Azerbaijan was not connected to the New Caledonia protests.
Darmanen’s comments came after a delegation from New Caledonia visited Azerbaijan and held meetings with the chairman of the parliament, deputies, and other officials.
Azerbaijani Deputy Asim Mollazadeh said that according to the information provided by the guests from New Caledonia "almost all their rights are violated. It is not suitable for anyone to live in the 21st century with the actions of the 15th century," Mollazadeh said.
Mollazadeh, who participated in a conference in April dedicated to the topic New Caledonia's history, modern challenges, and future, said Azerbaijan can provide moral support to New Caledonia. The territory is "fighting for its freedom and rights…. History also remembers the crimes committed by France," he said.
New Caledonia held three referendums on independence between 2018 and 2021. None of them passed.