Disappointment among associations and academics – Liberation

In the National Archives of Saint-Denis, where the Foundation for the memory of slavery commemorated the bicentenary of the Charles X ordinance, by which France recognized the sovereignty of Haiti in exchange for colossal compensation, the time was generally disappointed after the announcements of Emmanuel Macron. In a statement published this Thursday, April 17 by the Elysée, the President of the Republic announced the creation « Of a Franco-Haitian mixed commission responsible for examining our common past and clarifying all the dimensions ». The Head of State is committed to « Explore two centuries of history, including the impact of the 1825 compensation on Haiti ».

In front of a packed room, Haiti Louino Volcy’s ambassador wanted to be careful: « I am delighted that memorial questions are starting to occupy a more important place in bilateral relations between France and Haiti ”, he congratulated himself, after recalling that « The slaves were forced to compensate their former masters, while the opposite should have occurred, » Then left his desk, without further commenting on the position of his embassy.

For his part, the former French-Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, president of the foundation for the memory of slavery praised an advance: « We have campaigned to obtain an official word from France on the day of the bicentennial, and we had it. ” For him, this announcement represents « An ETA