An interesting development happened in Haiti this week. France President Francois Hollande vowed to pay a “moral debt” to Haiti during a visit on Tuesday. The struggling Caribbean nation was freed via revolution lead by Toussaint Louverture in 1804 after 13 years of war with their oppressors.

The visit by Hollande marks the first visit by a French President to the country since they won their freedom. Haiti is still bitter and upset with France after being force to pay the oppressors in 1825 for property lost during their rise to freedom.

“We cannot change the past, but we can change the future,” Hollande said, speaking at an event with Haitian president Michel Martelly on Port au Prince’s Champ de Mars, in the city center near the presidential palace that was destroyed by a 2010 earthquake.

“There is a moral debt that exists,” said Hollande, dodging the thorny issue of reparations which some in Haiti have demanded.

Is the talk enough?

The words sound good and the investment is much needed by Haiti, however, many feel this small gesture can do nothing to negate the centuries of oppression or even right the property damage repayment in 1825.

The 150 million francs Haiti paid to France during that time is valued at $20 billion dollars today. It was a “grave injustice” put upon the Haitian people at the time and didn’t allow them to develop as fast as many other nations subjugating them to the lower rung of the economic race.

“Our country needs services more than any amount of money for people to fight over,” Haitian President Martelly said.

“The time of resentment has long passed. France has a place in the hearts of all Haitians,” Martelly added.

How Much is France giving up?

The “Moral Debt” France and Hollande are willing to fork over to the Haitian people will be $145 million over the next five years to be spread out among development projects in the country. Thsi will include $56 million on education.

This is just a drop in the bucket when compared to the current market value of $20 billion Haiti gave to France in 1825, not to mention the centuries of improvement and advancement that could have come to the country during that time.

Hopefully, peace can march forward, but the people of Haiti will never forget what the French did to them in the past, the injustice heaped upon their people and reparations damage that still must be paid.

Source: Reuters