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Haiti wants its money back, but France is stalling.
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will set up a special group to study the history between France and Haiti. The group will include French and Haitian historians. It will look at how a large debt, forced on Haiti 200 years ago to compensate slave owners, affected the impoverished country, once considered Europe’s richest possession in the West Indies.
Macron said the group will give ideas to help create a more peaceful future.
Haiti became independent from France in 1804. But in 1825, France made Haiti agree to pay 150 million gold francs (later reduced to 90 million) to stop attacks and pay French slave owners. Haiti finished paying the debt in 1947.
This debt made Haiti very poor and unstable. Many Haitians are angry and want France to return the money. But it’s not clear if the new group will suggest any repayment.
France has admitted slavery was wrong but hasn’t seriously talked about returning the money, often called the “independence debt”.
Macron said the debt forced a price on Haiti’s freedom and hurt the new country from the start.
He said the historians’ work is needed, and after it’s done, both France and Haiti should listen to the advice and use it to move toward peace.
Haitian writer Monique Clesca told Le Monde that France is losing power in the world, especially in Africa, where former colonies are turning away. She said Macron could help change this by admitting the injustice of the debt.
She said admitting the truth won’t fix everything, but it could help heal old wounds.
Haiti is now in deep trouble. Gangs are very violent, and the government has little control. In 2024, over 5,500 people died due to gang violence. More than a million people have had to leave their homes.
Haiti’s temporary presidential council has not been able to make any progress in organizing new elections.
Sources: BBC, Newsweek, Le Monde.
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