December 23, 2024
In his impactful speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 26, Edgard Leblanc Fils, President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), delivered a powerful address calling for international solidarity and advocating for historical justice for his country. Haiti, which is currently facing a multidimensional crisis, is relying on global cooperation to overcome the security, economic, and climate challenges threatening its future.
A Call for International Solidarity
From the outset of his speech, Leblanc Fils expressed his gratitude to the United Nations and the international community for their continued support of Haiti. He praised the recent visit of Secretary-General António Guterres to Haiti and the initiatives aimed at strengthening security through the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. According to Leblanc Fils, this support is essential to restoring stability in Haiti.
He emphasized the need for increased collaboration in the face of global crises such as climate change and economic inequalities, stressing that no nation should be left behind. Haiti, one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, suffers disproportionately from the consequences of global warming, despite contributing very little to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Security Crisis in Haiti
A significant portion of his speech was devoted to the security crisis that is deeply affecting Haiti, where gang violence has paralyzed the capital, Port-au-Prince. He described the alarming situation in which nearly 50% of gang members are children, pointing out that the violence committed against them constitutes crimes against humanity. The international community, and particularly the UN Security Council, has a crucial role to play in supporting Haitian efforts to restore security.
A Plea for Historical Justice
Mr. Leblanc Fils also took this opportunity to address a sensitive and important issue: reparations for the enormous debt imposed by France after Haiti’s independence. He reminded the assembly that this “ransom” of independence suffocated the resources of the young nation, plunging Haiti into a cycle of poverty from which it still struggles to escape. He called for international reflection on this historical injustice and reiterated the demand for fair reparations for the Haitian people.
A Vision for the Future
In a message filled with hope, Leblanc Fils concluded his speech by reaffirming Haiti’s willingness to contribute to the international community, despite its own challenges. He stressed that national resilience and unity are essential for Haiti’s reconstruction, while calling for stronger multilateralism to overcome current global crises.
With this address, the TPC President reaffirmed that Haiti’s future depends on international cooperation and solidarity. However, he also pointed out that, despite the importance of external aid, it is ultimately up to Haitians to take control of their own destiny and work together to secure their future.
This strong appeal for justice, security, and solidarity could mark a turning point in Haiti’s history, as the nation seeks not only to recover from its current crises but also to obtain reparations for the injustices of the past.