The whole Haitian debacle has gotten the attention of the entire world. Newspapers and websites are flooded with articles and updates on how the global superpowers are beating their minds on finding the ways to address the issue.
The ones that are engrossed fully in this are the U.S. and Canada. Predictable, right? However, what is unpredictable is the absence of one country from this whole conversation. That black swan is France.
France’s Unsettling Silence
France has a long- shameful history in Haiti. From being a cruel coloniser to also being a thief. In fact, a decorated thief as it pulled a ‘heist’ on the nation that is much more intriguing than the “Money Heist” show!
The interference and control of France on Haiti didn’t end even in the 21st century. It along with other soul-sucking powers made a Core Group to control the resource rich nation. This core group, though always controlling the politics of Haiti, never accepts its role in making the nation a vegetable.
However, France’s continuous tormenting of Port-au-Prince has suddenly become a thing of the past. This development is quite curious.
If you trace the recent events of Haiti, after the 2010 earthquake and the assassination of its President Jovenel Moise, the nation’s stability has gone down the drain. This has led to humanitarian crises, political instability and cholera outbreak there. Ariel Henry, the current Prime Minister and also, the acting President has requested for foreign intervention several times. US and Canada, though eager to invade the nation, are scared of the consequences and the curse that comes with such invasions.
Amidst all this, not even one action has been taken by France, which is a major part of the aforementioned ‘Core Group’. France is totally out of any conversations that revolve around Haiti. Has France learnt its lesson from history? Or, is it repentant of its colonial behaviour?
The Big Question is Why?
The answer is none of the above. What we assert from France’s discomforting silence in Haiti is that it has a long-term plan in whole of the Caribbean. If we take a closer look at the recent actions of France in the Caribbean, we can easily analyse its plan of action in the area.
A short while ago, St. Lucia, a Caribbean nation, knocked on the doors of France. It sought help, from the developed nation, in curtailing the rising crime in its territory. France, through its overseas territory in Caribbean, that is, St. Marteen, answered the call and now, is trying to find solution to the St. Lucian problem.
A past coloniser helping a nation of the region which it has enslaved for centuries! To the naïve eyes, this can look normal, helpful infact. However, that’s not the case.
Read More: Philip J. Pierre’s invitation to France could begin an era of colonization in St. Lucia
Do not Forget the Coloniser France
France could look like an ally to the Caribbean as it is not playing with the sovereignty of the Haiti and at the same time, also extending a helping hand to nations asking for it. However, it is time that the Caribbean nations get beware of this master-mind. France’s colonial agenda is still alive and thriving. The recent example for this is France’s doings in Sahel, Africa. In Sahel, in the name of security assistance and economic rebuilding measures, France plundered the mineral resources of the region and destroyed countless lives.
We conclude, France is putting up a friendly face in the region to become a reliable ally for the nations. That is because the region is full of opportunities and raw resources waiting to be exploited. In order to do that, Paris realises the importance of staying away from any controversies that are amateurish. In the case of Caribbean, that Sidam touch is of Haiti.
If France enters the Haiti debacle now, it has nothing to gain from it. It will only face the similar hatred that US and Canada are getting for holding back the nation and not complying with the will of its citizens. Today’s France doesn’t want to be a Messiah that will get crucified as well. It wants to be a friend so that it can have long-term advantages in the region. Well played, France!
