December 23, 2024
This Monday, November 18, marks the 221st anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a pivotal event that paved the way for Haiti’s independence in 1804. However, once again this year, the celebrations are overshadowed by a troubling security situation that prevents members of the Executive from traveling to Cap-Haïtien, the birthplace of this historic victory.
The Battle of Vertières, fought on November 18, 1803, near Cap-Français (now Cap-Haïtien), saw Haitian troops, led by General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, deliver a decisive defeat to French forces under General Rochambeau. This victory marked the final chapter in a fierce struggle for freedom, culminating in the proclamation of Haiti’s independence as the world’s first Black Republic.
To commemorate this day, the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) delivered a solemn message to the nation, calling for solidarity during these troubled times. “November 18, 2024, marks 221 years since our ancestors courageously drove out the colonizers. To celebrate this day, the TPC encourages all citizens, men and women alike, to unite their efforts to build peace on this land that our ancestors fought to pass on to us,” the statement read.
However, government officials were forced to cancel their attendance at the traditional ceremonies in Vertières due to escalating gang violence. The capital, Port-au-Prince, is gripped by a wave of terror, with armed groups challenging the authority of the state by targeting residents and forcing them to flee their neighborhoods. National Highway 1, the main route connecting the capital to the north of the country, remains under gang control, making travel to Cap-Haïtien extremely dangerous.
Despite this challenging context, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé paid tribute to the heroes of 1803 through a declaration from the capital. “Vertières, a symbol of the courage and bravery of our forebears, is a legacy that calls for unity. The spirit of this revolutionary victory must guide us in the historic task of building a nation worthy of our heroes’ sacrifices. The Government honors the memory of our ancestors and bows before the epic of 1803. Unity is strength!” he affirmed.