The Case for Reparations: Why France Owes Haiti Up to $200 Billion
On December 5, 1492, Christopher Columbus set foot on Mole St. Nicolas, marking the beginning of European influence in Haiti. More than three centuries later, Haiti broke the chains of colonial oppression, declaring independence from France in 1804 after a brutal war led by enslaved and freed black individuals. However, the cost of freedom was burdened with a grotesque irony. Under the 1825 Ordinance, France demanded reparations from Haiti—the world’s first black republic—to compensate former plantation owners for their ‘losses,’ including the loss of ‘property’ in slaves.
Initially set at 150 million francs, an astronomical sum at the time, this debt was later reduced to 90 million francs. Haiti was coerced into agreeing to these terms under the threat of military invasion and re-enslavement. To meet these demands, Haiti had to take out high-interest loans from French banks, effectively funding its own ransom to achieve international recognition of its sovereignty.
The repercussions of this extortion were devastating. Haiti’s repayment of the debt, which continued until 1947, critically hindered its economic development. Resources that could have been invested in infrastructure, education, and healthcare were instead funneled into repayments. Economists estimate that the sum, adjusted for inflation and interest, would amount to about $21 billion today. However, the broader economic implications and the stifling of Haiti’s potential development run much deeper.
At Mole FM 94.5, we stand for justice, empowerment, and the truth. It is our duty to illuminate the stark injustice of this historical extortion. It is indefensible that Haiti, a nation born from a slave revolt against unimaginable brutality, was forced to compensate those who had enslaved them. This is not merely a financial transaction but a profound moral and ethical miscarriage that demands rectification.
Today, advocates for Haiti’s reparations argue that France owes between $150 to $200 billion, reflecting not just an adjusted sum of the initial extortion but also acknowledging the ongoing impact of this financial stranglehold on Haiti’s development.
This conversation about reparations transcends mere monetary compensation—it is about acknowledging historical wrongs and restoring dignity to a nation that has been systematically undermined. The demand for $150 to $200 billion is a call for justice, recognition, and the beginning of healing the wounds of centuries.
Mole FM 94.5 supports the voices that advocate for the rectification of these historic injustices. We believe it is imperative for France to address this grievous wrong through actions that reflect a commitment to justice and reconciliation. As a community-focused station, we stand with Haiti in its rightful demand for reparations and urge the global community to recognize the severity of this injustice.
Let us be clear: no nation should ever have to pay for its freedom. It’s high time for France to acknowledge its debt to Haiti—not just in words, but through substantial reparative actions. Haiti paid dearly for its independence once; it is unconscionable to ask it to continue paying.
Incorporating the detailed financial obligations and the ongoing impacts, this rewritten article underscores the profound injustice faced by Haiti post-independence. Mole FM 94.5 remains committed to broadcasting empowerment and advocating for actions that support Haiti’s long overdue reparations.
