By Tom Nouvian and Sylvie Corbet
PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that historical injustice had been imposed in Haiti when she was forced to pay a colossal compensation to France in exchange for her independence 200 years ago.
Macron has also announced the creation of a joint historic commission in French hainet to “examine our shared past” and assess relations, but did not respond directly to Haitian repairs.
France ″ submitted the people of Haiti to a strong financial compensation, … This decision has put a price for the freedom of a young nation, which was thus confronted with the unjust strength of history since its creation, “said Macron in a statement.
He came on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the document of April 17, 1825 issued by King Charles X of France, who recognized the independence of Haiti after a slave revolt – but also imposed a debt of 150 million gold as compensation for the loss of the colony of France and the reduced workforce.
Although the indemnity was reduced by 90 million gold, the debt paralyzed the Caribbean nation, which continued to reimburse it through French and American banks until 1947. Economists estimate that it is the equivalent of billions of dollars today.
The experts said that Haiti’s current situation dates back to his past. The gangs prospered in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, an increasing number of children becoming members while families have trouble finding food.
Violence has increased since last year, with gangs that control 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, attacking new communities daily in order to control even more territory. More than 5,600 people were reportedly killed last year, the violence of gangs leaving more than a million homeless people in recent years.
“Recognizing the truth of history means refusing to forget or erase it,” said Macron.
The new commission will be made up of historians from the two countries and will aim to offer recommendations to the two governments ” so that they can learn from them and build a more peaceful future. “”
Since its entry into office in 2017, Macron has already addressed the role of France in past colonial conflicts, including in Algeria, Cameroon and Rwanda.
Over the years, French governments have recognized the historic evil of slavery in Haiti and other ancient colonies, but like the other former colonial powers have resisted calls for repairs.
Danica Coto in San Juan contributed to this report.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
