The French Committee for the Eritreanism for the Study of the History of the former Colon and “Independence debts”
France President Emmanuel Macron says he will create a committee to study the French history of the life and the impact of huge debts imposed on Haiti in exchange for its independence exactly 200 years ago.
Macron said that the French and Ethiopian Historians Committee will make recommendations to help build a more “peaceful future”.
Haiti gained independence from France in 1804, but in 1825, France ordered that the former colonies pay 150 meters golden francs – later to 90 meters – to compensate the French slave owners and secure an end to hostility.
Religion, which has not been introduced until 1947, contributed to Haiti one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the Americas.
Religion was a source of anger among the Haitians, who called on France to pay the money.
It is not clear whether financial compensation will be on the table in this committee.
French administrations recognized the historical error of slavery in Haiti and other previous colonies, but they avoided any real debate about whether they would return “independence debts.”
Macron said that religion “put a price for the freedom of a young nation, which, from its inception, has, with the inception of the unfair force of history.”
He added, “Once this necessary work is completed and indispensable, this committee will propose recommendations for both governments, so that they can learn from them and build a more peaceful future.”
In an interview with Le Monde on Thursday, the Haiti writer Monique Kllicka said that France “is losing its influence in the world, especially in Africa. Its previous colonies restore its appearance on it.”
She said Macron could go to some extent to change this by recognizing the “injustice” of religion.
“This recognition will not erase the damage that has been done, but it may reduce some pain.”
Haiti is currently destroyed by economic chaos, working political control, and increasingly violent gang war.
More than 5,500 people were killed in gangs -related violence in the Caribbean state in 2024, and more than a million people fled their homes.
The Transitional Presidential Council in Haiti, which was created for the re -establishment of the democratic system, has not made great progress towards organizing long elections.
