200 Years On: How Haiti’s Colonial Debt to France Still Shapes Its Security Crisis
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – April 20, 2025:
The persistent instability plaguing Haiti today is rooted in a staggering historical injustice—its forced payment of a Ksh72 billion (150 million gold francs) indemnity to France in exchange for its independence. Two centuries later, as Haiti reels under gang domination, international observers link the economic burden imposed by France to the country’s ongoing chaos.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently acknowledged France's historical role in Haiti’s suffering, noting that the 1825 indemnity "put a price on freedom" and undermined the nation’s trajectory from its very birth.
“France imposed a heavy financial cost on Haiti, which had just gained independence. It was a profound injustice,” Macron stated during a bicentennial reflection.
A Nation Shackled by Debt, Not Chains: The Roots of Haiti’s Collapse
In 1825, just 21 years after becoming the first Black republic to defeat slavery and colonialism, Haiti was coerced into compensating French plantation owners for “lost property”—including enslaved people. Although the demand was later reduced to 90 million francs, Haiti could not keep up. France lent the country money to pay the very debt it had imposed, keeping Haiti financially dependent and vulnerable.
By 1914, nearly 75% of Haiti’s national budget was dedicated to repaying this colonial ransom. The final installment wasn’t cleared until 1947—over a century later.
A 2022 investigation by The New York Times calculated that the total repayments, adjusted for inflation, amounted to approximately $560 million. Economists argue that if Haiti had retained that capital, it could have boosted its GDP by over $20 billion across the decades.
Haiti's Gang Epidemic and the Lingering Shadow of Exploitation
Today, the consequences of this historical exploitation are devastating. Approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince is under the control of violent gangs, most notably those led by figures like Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. Last year alone, over 5,600 people were killed, while gang-induced instability has displaced more than one million Haitians.
Many analysts argue that the structural poverty left by colonial debt created the conditions that allow armed groups to thrive. Basic services have collapsed, unemployment remains rampant, and government control is minimal in many areas.
Kenya’s Role in Haiti’s Security Response
As part of the UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, Kenya has deployed 100 police officers to help stabilize Haiti. Tragically, two Kenyan officers have already lost their lives in the mission. President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment, describing the mission as an act of international solidarity and historical justice.
French President Macron, meanwhile, announced the creation of a commission of Haitian and French historians to assess the legacy of the 1825 indemnity. However, the commission stops short of offering reparations—something Haiti has long demanded.
The absence of economic redress continues to fuel criticism, with Haitian civil society groups insisting that historical acknowledgment without compensation is insufficient.
The Path Forward: Can Haiti Heal Without Reparations?
As Haiti stands at the crossroads of crisis and international intervention, the world is beginning to reckon with how colonial debts can morph into modern disasters. While efforts like Kenya’s MSS participation aim to restore order, the structural roots of Haiti’s instability demand long-term solutions—including economic justice and historical accountability.
