French President Emmanuel Macron stirred controversy during his remarks at the Humanity Summit in Brazil, directly criticizing Haiti’s leadership for the country’s prolonged struggles. Macron attributed much of Haiti’s dire situation to internal mismanagement, stating, “Haitians themselves destroyed their country.”
He pointed to the 2012 removal of former Prime Minister Gary Conille as a pivotal moment of failure. Macron described the ousting as “absurd” and those responsible as “complete idiots,” emphasizing that Conille’s leadership represented a lost opportunity for progress. He praised Conille’s vision and competence, framing his dismissal as a significant act of self-sabotage by Haitian leadership.
During the summit, Haitian professor Marky Jean Pierre highlighted the country’s dire conditions, lamenting that “kids have guns with no education.” Macron echoed the sentiment, doubling down on his critique by insisting Haiti’s leadership is responsible for the nation’s crises. “The decision to remove Conille was an act of self-destruction,” Macron argued, citing it as a prime example of Haiti’s internal challenges.
While Macron’s comments were blunt, he clarified that France has no intention of intervening in Haiti’s governance. “I cannot replace the Haitian authorities,” he said, underscoring the importance of Haitian leaders taking responsibility for their country’s future.
Macron’s remarks have reignited debates about Haiti’s political instability, its historical ties with France, and the role of accountability in addressing its challenges. The firing of Conille remains a focal point for many analyzing Haiti’s turbulent political trajectory, with critics pointing to it as a critical misstep in the nation’s efforts to achieve stability.
The speech has drawn mixed reactions globally, with some praising Macron for his candidness and others criticizing the tone of his remarks. The discourse underscores the complexity of Haiti’s struggles and the need for effective leadership to navigate its path forward.
source: Miami Herald
