Haïti à Travers les Pages

  How Can France Honor Its Debt to Haiti in 2025? A New Chapter in Franco-Haitian Relations By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) The recent meeting between Leslie Voltaire, President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace marks a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between Haiti and France. Macron’s call for the United Nations to consider a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, alongside his commitment to commemorate the bicentennial of the infamous "Independence Ransom" on April 17, 2025, signals a potential shift in France’s historical stance toward Haiti. However, true reconciliation demands more than symbolic gestures—it requires concrete commitments to repair the economic and social damage caused by France’s colonial legacy. Recognizing and Addressing the Historical Debt For over two centuries, the economic burden imposed on Haiti by France’s demand for 150 million gold francs in exchang...

  The Sacred Union of Our Ancestors: A Timeless Call for Haiti’s Renewal By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit) The echoes of history resonated powerfully on January 19, 2025, at Fort-Jacques. Beneath the canopy of Haiti’s storied mountains, the planting of a mapou tree for Jean-Jacques Dessalines and a royal palm for Alexandre Pétion marked more than just a commemorative act—it symbolized a return to the foundational principle that birthed our nation: the Union Sacrée des Ancêtres [1]. This event, organized by the STO Foundation and the Manifeste de l’Appel du Lambi, was a testament to Haiti’s enduring spirit of unity and resistance. The mapou and palmiste, deeply rooted in our cultural and historical identity, stand as living monuments to two leaders who transcended divisions to forge a common path to independence. The question posed at Fort-Jacques, and by extension to every Haitian, was simple yet profound: Can we, like our ancestors, renew this sacred union to ...

  Identity Resistance in Kenscoff: The Dichotomy of  Moun Mòn and Moun La Plèn By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) In the early hours of January 27, 2025, the serene hills of Kenscoff awoke to the unsettling echo of automatic gunfire. Localities such as Bello, Godet, and Bongard, nestled within the verdant mountains, were suddenly plunged into chaos as the criminal coalition Viv Ansanm launched a coordinated assault[1]. What unfolded in Kenscoff was more than just another episode of gang violence; it was a stark reminder of the enduring divide between  moun mòn (mountain people) and moun la plèn (plains people)—a social and cultural dichotomy that has long shaped Haiti’s identity and response to crises[2,3]. A Day of Fear in Kenscoff Residents of Kenscoff sent out desperate calls for help as shots rang out, shaking their once-peaceful community. Schools and shops shuttered as fear spread like wildfire. On Radio Métropole, former elected official Alfredo Anto...

  Leiderman's Dialogue: On Haiti, Resilience, and the Quest for Self-Determination By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit) Haiti, a nation born from a fight for freedom, now faces a defining moment. As the foreign policies of major powers, such as those of the United States under Donald Trump, take transactional and unpredictable turns, the very essence of international aid is being called into question [1,2]. This reality, astutely analyzed by Stuart M. Leiderman, highlights the challenges and opportunities Haiti faces in its quest for self-determination [3]. Leiderman points out that the suspension of international aid by the Trump administration—a temporary freeze of 90 days—reflects a policy devoid of humanitarian considerations[1,2]. “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” These criteria, cited by the new Secretary of State, leave no room for the humanitarian needs of nations like Haiti. Leiderman urges ...

    The Impact of Donald Trump's Policies on Haiti: A Test and an Opportunity for National Resilience By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit) Donald Trump’s inauguration for a new presidential term in January 2025 sent shockwaves through the international community, notably with the suspension of all foreign aid for 90 days  [1] . Haiti, a country heavily reliant on international assistance, was no exception. This decision halted the distribution of $420 million allocated for 2025, funds designated for critical sectors such as food security, healthcare, and economic development . This suspension raises critical questions about its implications for Haiti, a nation already grappling with political instability, rampant gang violence, and a severe economic crisis. With over 5 million people facing acute food insecurity, and international aid serving as a lifeline for many, what lies ahead for Haiti? Immediate Impact on Humanitarian Assistance The suspension of ...

  At Fort-Jacques, Planting the Seeds of Resistance: A New Haitian Pact for Freedom By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit)   On January 19, 2025, at Fort-Jacques, a symbolic and hopeful event brought Haitians and dignitaries together for the planting of a mapou tree and a royal palm, dedicated respectively to Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Pétion. Organized by the STO Foundation in partnership with the Manifeste Appel du Lambi, this act marked a renewed commitment to the values of freedom, unity, and resistance that have shaped the Republic of Haiti. In his speech, Gregory Sicard, representing the Manifeste, highlighted Pétion's key role in forging the sacred union that led to victory over Napoleon's troops. Quoting historian Robert Price, he reminded the audience: "Pétion, whose shrewd politics regenerated Haiti, understood that the only way to achieve independence and defeat Napoleon's forces was to unite the two factions of Toussaint and Rigaud int...

  Haiti’s Security Crisis: Time for a Strategic Reset By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit) Over the past six years, Haiti has been gripped by a relentless wave of violence, with the rise in gang activity and violent crime pushing the nation to the brink. Analysis of the Peace and Security Pillar: Haiti Security and Crime Statistics Dataset (2018–2024) paints a grim picture: what was once a steady—albeit troubling—baseline of approximately 109 homicides per month from 2018 to 2022 has spiraled out of control. By 2024, that number has skyrocketed to nearly 500 to 600 per month—a five- to six-fold increase. The implications of this dramatic escalation extend far beyond statistics. It represents a humanitarian crisis, a collapse in civilian protection, and a failure of traditional interventions to stem the tide. It is time to acknowledge the reality: Haiti cannot continue with business as usual. A paradigm shift in strategy is urgently required to address the root cau...

  Haiti 15 Years After: Resilience Tested by a New Crisis By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Fifteen years after the devastating 2010 earthquake, Haiti remains entangled in a web of crises—political instability, pervasive violence, and a humanitarian emergency that threatens its very foundation. While the scars of that catastrophe still linger, a more insidious earthquake—one of treason, integrity, and national identity—continues to shake the nation to its core. In recent weeks, a powerful denunciation has come from Haitian diaspora leaders and civil society organizations, signaling their refusal to accept a transition process co-opted by criminal elements and self-serving politicians. Haitian diaspora leaders and civil society organizations condemn the political elite that has allowed the country to descend into lawlessness. Their criticism centers on the participation of figures like Liné Balthazar, who, as a representative of the PHTK and its allies, has not only ...