On Thursday, September 26, 2024, during his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, President Edgard Leblanc Fils spoke on behalf of the Haitian people and greeted all the friends of Haiti who have shown solidarity with the Haitians, "[...] especially those residing in Springfield, Ohio, in the United States. The long history of friendship and mutual solidarity between our two nations, since our participation in the Battle of Savannah in 1779, allows us to say with confidence that the American people reject any incitement to hatred against our community."

"[...] The Haitian people, despite these trials they face, refuse to be overwhelmed by despair. [...] In the midst of this storm, he understood that he had to make a courageous decision : to come together, to unite despite the profound differences in order to be able to get back on its feet and set out, with confidence, towards the end of the multidimensional crisis that has been afflicting it for too long. [...]

[...] It is important to emphasize that the resolution of Haiti's problems rests first and foremost on the shoulders of the Haitian people. It is our duty, as a sovereign nation, to take charge of our destiny, to overcome divisions and to build together a future of Peace and prosperity. However, this responsibility does not fall only on us [...] Haiti's failure to recover is not only that of a Nation. It reflects a collective failure, a global inability to fully respect the principles of solidarity, justice and international cooperation. It is together, with shared responsibility and renewed commitment, that we can transform this crisis into an opportunity and chart a lasting path towards Peace. [...]

[...] In today’s context, where more than ever attention is focused on efforts to restore security without delay and meet the immense humanitarian needs in Haiti, it seems important to me to draw the Assembly’s attention to the aftermath of the colonial past and the ransoms paid to certain powers that have largely jeopardized Haiti’s development. It is worth recalling that Haiti was the only country to have paid for its independence, which was nevertheless obtained in fire and blood. [...]"

Download the full speech (PDF French) :

https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Allocution_President_Leblanc_ONU_26Sept_2024-FINALE.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre