Can't read it? Listen now!
As Haitians mark Dessalines Day this October 17, celebrating the indomitable spirit of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of the founding fathers of the nation, it’s impossible to ignore the stark contrast between his vision for Haiti and the reality his descendants face today. Dessalines, who fought valiantly to free Haiti from colonial chains, would likely find little to celebrate in the Haiti of 2024. His dream of a united, sovereign nation stands in sharp contrast to the fractured leadership and political dysfunction currently gripping the country.
Dessalines, crowned emperor in 1804 after leading the world’s first successful slave revolution, was uncompromising in his commitment to Haitian independence and sovereignty. His legacy of strength, sacrifice, and a fierce defense of the nation’s freedom is revered. But today, those entrusted with guiding Haiti through its current crisis seem to have abandoned Dessalines’ principles, opting instead for personal power and political gamesmanship.
Dessalines’ legacy, ignored
When Dessalines declared Haiti independent, he envisioned a land where equality was sacrosanct, where the newly liberated citizens of the world’s first Black republic would build a just and prosperous nation. His 1805 Constitution was revolutionary in its defense of the Haitian people, declaring that “slavery is forever abolished” and insisting that no foreign power should ever again hold dominion over Haiti.
Fast forward to 2024, and it’s hard to imagine Dessalines looking at the state of Haiti’s leadership without dismay. This year alone, the country has lurched from crisis to crisis. Gang violence dominates much of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Political infighting within the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and the inability to agree on a coherent path forward have left Haiti without the leadership it desperately needs. While Dessalines fought external enemies, today’s Haitian leaders seem preoccupied with fighting each other.
The standoff between Prime Minister Garry Conille and the CPT over the attempted dismissal of Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy is just one symptom of a larger malaise. At a time when Haiti’s foreign relations—particularly with the Dominican Republic—are under strain due to mass deportations, Haiti’s leadership is more focused on internal power struggles than on defending the rights of Haitian citizens abroad. Dessalines, a man who understood the importance of unity in the face of external threats, would no doubt see this as a failure to prioritize the nation over individual ambition.
The failure of today’s leaders
Jean-Jacques Dessalines was not without controversy. His methods were often brutal, particularly when he ordered the massacre of French residents in Haiti. However, his unwavering focus on the sovereignty and dignity of the Haitian people is undeniable. Dessalines believed in a Haiti for Haitians—free from foreign interference, self-reliant, and, above all, united.
Yet today, Haiti’s political elite seem more interested in maintaining their hold on power than in upholding this legacy. The division between Prime Minister Conille and the CPT is symptomatic of a deeper rot within the country’s leadership. While Dupuy’s strong stance against the Dominican Republic’s mass deportation of Haitians should be seen as a defense of Haitian dignity, the CPT’s reaction—seeking her removal—reflects a lack of commitment to the very principles Dessalines championed.
The constant power struggles between Haiti’s leaders are mirrored by their inability to provide for the basic needs of their citizens. Haiti’s streets are not just filled with political rhetoric; they are filled with violence, hunger, and despair. The massacre in Pont-Sondé earlier this month, in which over 115 people were brutally killed in gang violence, is just one of many examples of the state’s failure to protect its people. In a country Dessalines fought to make free and independent, lawlessness now reigns supreme, and the people are left to fend for themselves.
What would Dessalines say today?
If Dessalines could see the state of his beloved Haiti today, he would surely be devastated. The leader who envisioned a unified, independent nation where all Haitians were equal under the law would find a country broken by internal division and plagued by foreign intervention. It is hard to imagine that he would view today’s Haitian leaders as anything more than traitors to the ideals he fought for.
Haiti’s leaders today seem more concerned with power than with progress. They have allowed personal rivalries and corruption scandals to overshadow the urgent needs of the nation. Just this past week, a U.S. delegation visiting Haiti emphasized the need for the country’s leaders to “put country over party,” urging them to focus on the humanitarian crisis and deteriorating security situation. The fact that such a reminder is necessary highlights the disconnect between Haiti’s current leaders and Dessalines’ vision of a unified, sovereign nation.
The need for a new direction
On this Dessalines Day, as we honor the memory of Haiti’s founding father, we must also confront the uncomfortable truth: Haiti’s leaders have abandoned the very principles that Dessalines fought for. The divisions within the CPT and the ongoing political dysfunction are not just embarrassing—they are dangerous. The country is teetering on the edge of collapse, and yet its leaders seem unable, or unwilling, to act.
It is time for Haiti’s leaders to remember that they serve the people, not their own interests. Dessalines once said, “Liberty or death.” He understood that without freedom, there is nothing. But freedom, as he envisioned it, is not just the absence of foreign rule—it is the presence of dignity, justice, and equality. These are the values that today’s leaders must reclaim if Haiti is ever to fulfill the promise of independence that Dessalines so fiercely fought for.
Haiti’s future depends on its leaders finding the courage to prioritize the country over their own political survival. As we reflect on Dessalines’ legacy, let it serve as both an inspiration and a challenge to the current generation of Haitian leaders. Dessalines fought for a Haiti that was free, strong, and united. It is time for today’s leaders to do the same.
