December 23, 2024
On October 17, 2024, the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) commemorated the 218th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines at the Haitian National Pantheon Museum (MUPANAH). To mark this event, CPT President Leslie Voltaire, accompanied by several advisors, laid a wreath in tribute to the founding father of the Haitian nation.
The ceremony, held in a tense atmosphere, was disrupted by heavy gunfire in various neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. Despite increased security measures, gunshots were heard near the Champ de Mars, forcing the TPC members to leave the area. Similar incidents were reported in sensitive zones such as Solino, Delmas 24, and Fort National, where armed clashes were also noted.
The laying of the wreath by Leslie Voltaire and his colleagues, including Régine Abraham, Smith Augustin, Frinel Joseph, Edgard Leblanc Fils, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Fritz Alphonse Jean, was intended to honor the memory of Dessalines, who was assassinated at Pont Rouge on October 17, 1806. However, due to the growing insecurity in that area, the traditional ceremony has not been held there for three years. Authorities relocated the event to MUPANAH to ensure the safety of participants.
The TPC published a message on social media, praising Dessalines’ historic contribution and reminding the public of his central role in Haiti’s independence. “The legacy of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines endures through history and guides our quest for freedom,” the Council expressed.
However, this ceremony took place in a politically tense context, worsened by internal criticism within the TPC. Edgard Leblanc Fils, who had been absent from the Villa d’Accueil for several days, reiterated his refusal to sign a controversial resolution dated October 4, 2024. He warned that this decision, made by the TPC majority, could extend the transition period and further destabilize the country. His statement came after a report from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) accused three TPC members of corruption.
Despite these internal tensions and security challenges, the commemoration of the 218th anniversary of Dessalines’ death served as a reminder of the importance of his legacy for the Haitian nation, even as the country’s political and social difficulties continue to weigh heavily on it.