Photo credit: www.bbc.com
The Legacy of Haiti’s Independence Debt: A New Commission Under Macron
President Emmanuel Macron of France has announced the establishment of a commission to examine the historical ties between France and Haiti, focusing especially on the significant financial burden imposed on Haiti following its independence 200 years ago.
The commission, comprising French and Haitian historians, is expected to offer recommendations aimed at fostering a “more peaceful future” for both nations.
Haiti declared independence from French colonial rule in 1804. However, just over two decades later, in 1825, France demanded a staggering sum of 150 million gold francs from Haiti, later negotiated down to 90 million. This payment was intended as compensation to former French slave owners and was a prerequisite for the cessation of hostilities.
This debt loomed over Haiti for many years, finally being settled in 1947. Its burden significantly contributed to Haiti’s status as one of the most impoverished and politically unstable countries in the Americas.
The repercussions of this debt continue to resonate within Haitian society, leading to widespread calls for France to reimburse the amount. The specifics of whether financial reparations will be addressed in this new commission remain uncertain.
While French governments have acknowledged the historical injustices of slavery in Haiti and other former colonies, discussions surrounding the return of the “independence debt” have largely been sidestepped.
In Macron’s view, the debt “placed a price on the freedom of a young nation, which was thus confronted, from its very inception, with the unjust force of history.”
He further emphasized that once the commission’s work is complete, it will present its findings to both governments, with the hope that these insights will aid in constructing a more harmonious future.
In a recent interview with Le Monde, Haitian author Monique Clesca highlighted that France’s global influence is waning, particularly in Africa, as former colonies begin to distance themselves. She suggested that Macron could take significant steps toward reversing this trend by acknowledging the “injustice” of the debt owed to Haiti.
Clesca stated, “This recognition will not erase the harm that has been done, but it could ease some pain.”
Currently, Haiti is facing acute economic turmoil, with a lack of effective political governance and a surge in violent gang activity marking the landscape. The year 2024 alone saw over 5,500 people killed due to gang-related violence, while more than a million residents have been forced to abandon their homes.
The transitional presidential council, established to restore democracy in Haiti, has made minimal strides toward organizing the long-awaited elections, compounding the challenges the nation faces.
Source
www.bbc.com