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On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Edgard Leblanc Fils, President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, delivered a pivotal speech at the United Nations General Assembly, addressing both the current crises and the deep-rooted historical challenges that continue to affect the nation. As a seasoned politician, having served as President of the Haitian Senate from 1995 to 2000, Leblanc called for renewed international commitment to support Haiti’s institutional development while also advocating for reparative justice for the country’s colonial past.
Leblanc’s speech began by addressing the urgent security, political, and economic challenges facing Haiti. The country, he explained, is mired in political paralysis, extreme poverty, and rampant gang violence, all of which have led to the collapse of essential services and institutions. However, Leblanc emphasized that any long-term solution must begin with the rebuilding of Haiti’s national institutions, which he described as the foundation for restoring the rule of law and political stability. “Haiti’s future depends on strong institutions,” Leblanc stated, calling for both technical and financial support from the international community to aid in this effort.
The newly appointed head of the Transitional Presidential Council, which was established in April 2024, Leblanc highlighted the Council’s central role in guiding the country through this period of transition. He stressed the importance of Haitian sovereignty in any path forward, warning that solutions imposed from outside would only deepen the country’s problems. “The Haitian people must lead the process of national reconstruction, with international support that respects our sovereignty,” he added.
A significant portion of Leblanc’s address was dedicated to revisiting Haiti’s colonial history, particularly the debt imposed by France in 1825 as a condition for recognizing Haiti’s independence. Leblanc described this debt as a historical injustice that continues to hinder Haiti’s development today. “Haiti is the only country in the world that was forced to pay for its independence,” Leblanc said, underscoring the lasting economic and social repercussions of this financial burden on generations of Haitians.
While calling for reparations, Leblanc was clear that his demand went beyond monetary compensation. He framed the issue as one of justice and recognition of the wrongs inflicted on Haiti by colonial powers. “We are not asking for charity,” Leblanc stated, “but for the acknowledgment of a moral and historical debt that has weighed on Haiti for nearly two centuries.” He pointed to ongoing work by Haiti’s National Committee for Restitution and Reparation, in cooperation with the CARICOM Commission on Reparation, as evidence of the country’s serious and structured approach to this issue.
Leblanc also acknowledged the support of various UN agencies and international governments that have begun to engage with the idea of reparations and historical justice. He urged the international community to continue fostering dialogue on the subject, noting that this process could not only benefit Haiti but also set a precedent for addressing the legacies of colonialism worldwide.
As he concluded his speech, Leblanc focused on the broader need for unity and cooperation in building Haiti’s future. He affirmed that Haiti’s struggle for justice is part of a global movement toward rectifying historical wrongs. “The history of nations shows that progress is achieved through collaboration, not isolation,” he said. “Haiti does not seek charity, but justice and partnership in building a shared future.”
Leblanc’s speech to the UN, delivered as Haiti faces a critical juncture in its national recovery, positioned the country’s quest for sovereignty and justice within a global context, calling for both domestic reform and international acknowledgment of its colonial past.
