French President Emmanuel Macron said he will set up a commission to study the history of French Haitians and the impact of a huge debt imposed in Haiti in exchange for his independence exactly 200 years ago.
Macron said that the panel of French and Haitian historians would make recommendations to help build a “more peaceful future”.
Haiti obtained its independence from France in 1804, but in 1825, France ordered that the old colony pays 150 m of golden francs – later reduced to 90 m – to compensate for the owners of French slaves and obtain an end to hostilities.
The debt, which was not reimbursed until 1947, contributed to Haiti to become one of the poorest and most unstable countries of the Americas.
Debt was a source of anger among Haitians, who called on France to reimburse money.
It is not clear if the financial repairs will be on the table in this commission.
The French administrations have recognized the historical evil of slavery in Haiti and other ancient colonies, but have avoided any real discussion as to whether they would make “independence”.
Macron said the debt “put a prize on the freedom of a young nation, which had been confronted, since its creation, with the unjust strength of history”.
“Once this necessary and essential work is completed, this commission will offer recommendations to the two governments, so that they can learn from them and build a more peaceful future,” he added.
In an interview with the world on Thursday, the Haitian writer Monique Clesca said that France “lost influence in the world, especially in Africa. His former colonies returned his back there”.
Macron can somehow change this by recognizing the “injustice” of the debt, she said.
“This recognition will not erase the evil that has been done, but it could relieve some pain.”
Haiti is currently hit by economic chaos, little functional political control and the increasingly violent gang war.
More than 5,500 people were killed in violence related to gangs in the Caribbean nation in 2024 and more than a million people fled their homes.
Haiti’s presidential transition council, the organization created to restore democratic order, has made little progress towards the organization of long -term elections.
