Recently, a member of Haiti's transitional presidential council publicly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for referring to Haiti's leaders as 'total morons.' The council's former president expressed dismay over Macron's comments, stating that such insults were unwarranted for a nation facing challenging times.
Macron's remarks were captured during the G20 meeting in Brazil, where he condemned the council's decision to remove Prime Minister Garry Conille abruptly after a short tenure of six months. The French President labeled the council as 'total morons' and criticized their choice to dismiss Conille, stating that it was a mistake.
In response to Conille's dismissal, the council appointed Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the new prime minister. Leblanc, in his statement, highlighted Macron's interference in Haitian affairs by openly supporting Conille and praising his capabilities.
Haiti's Foreign Ministry summoned France's ambassador to Haiti following Macron's comments, denouncing them as unfriendly and inappropriate. Leblanc also took the opportunity to address France's historical role as a former colonial power, emphasizing the exorbitant compensation Haiti was forced to pay for its independence.
Leblanc asserted that Haiti's hard-won independence, achieved through sacrifice, should not be subject to any repayment. He called for the restitution of the imposed ransom, emphasizing that it would be returned in due course.
Macron's remarks coincided with a surge in gang violence in Haiti's capital and surrounding areas, further exacerbating the country's political instability. The fallout from Macron's comments underscores the delicate relationship between Haiti and its former colonial ruler, France, as tensions continue to simmer amidst ongoing challenges.
