France should repay billions of dollars to Haiti to cover a debt formerly enslaved people were forced to pay in return for recognising the island’s independence, according to a coalition of civil society groups that is launching a new push for reparations.
The Caribbean island state became the first in the region to win its independence in 1804 after a revolt by enslaved people. But in a move that many Haitians blame for two centuries of turmoil, France later imposed harsh reparations for lost income and that debt was only fully repaid in 1947.
Sure, OK, but this probably the worst possible time to funnel billions of dollars into Haiti. Who would they even give it to?
This exactly. There is no functional central government. Any money disbursed now would just end up with the warlords. If the situation stablises again, that would be another matter. But right now this shouldn’t be on the table.
One option is to put a reverse tariff on Haiti, this way you stimulate their export economy regardless who is in charge. In general an economically stable and growing country also tends to be more politically stable.
Edit: a more realistic scenario is that France gives a bunch of money with the condition it is spend on French weapons or other French export products. So in actuality a hidden subsidy for the French economy, this is also how Germany ‘compensated’ for the holocaust to Israel.
Interesting, I like that concept
Maybe it’s just a ploy to get someone to take charge. The last time Haitians seriously talked about reparations a bunch of paramilitaries mysteriously showed up and seized control.