Macron Criticized for ‘Insulting’ Remarks About Haitians
The comment made by the French president labeling Haiti’s leaders as “morons” has ignited a wave of anger in the Caribbean nation. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron recently faced backlash for disparaging comments he made regarding Haiti’s leadership.
In a video recorded during the G20 summit in Brazil last week and shared on social media, Macron referred to Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council as “total morons” for dismissing the former prime minister, Garry Conille.
“The prime minister was great, I defended him. They are total morons, they should never have fired him,” he stated in the footage while responding to another individual.
Edgard Leblanc Fils, the former president of the council, responded by posting a statement on X, condemning Macron’s “insulting remarks” about a nation “living through dark times.” He asserted that Macron had “not hesitated to interfere in a matter that essentially concerns the Haitian authorities” by expressing his support for Conille, whom he described as “formidable.”
Conille, who previously held a senior position at the UN, was ousted just six months into his role due to internal divisions within the council. His replacement was Alix Didier Fils-Aime, an entrepreneur and former senate candidate.
In the video, when asked about the situation in Haiti, Macron was seen stating that it was the “Haitians who killed Haiti by letting drug trafficking take over.”
The French leader’s comments have triggered significant outrage in Haiti, prompting the country’s foreign ministry to call in France's ambassador late last week over what it characterized as “unfriendly and inappropriate” remarks.
Many in Haiti have long held France accountable for the nation’s enduring economic and political struggles. After gaining independence, Haiti was compelled to pay reparations to France for the loss of its most profitable colony. This financial burden persisted until the final payment was made in 1947.
A coalition of civil society organizations in Haiti has urged Paris to return the substantial reparations, which some estimates suggest could total in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, Haiti has endured years of political instability and violence, with various criminal gangs exerting control until the establishment of the transitional council earlier this year. This council was tasked with selecting Haiti’s next president, prime minister, and Cabinet, aiming to restore stability amid ongoing turmoil.
Facing numerous challenges and internal conflict, the council ultimately decided to dismiss Conille.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
In a video recorded during the G20 summit in Brazil last week and shared on social media, Macron referred to Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council as “total morons” for dismissing the former prime minister, Garry Conille.
“The prime minister was great, I defended him. They are total morons, they should never have fired him,” he stated in the footage while responding to another individual.
Edgard Leblanc Fils, the former president of the council, responded by posting a statement on X, condemning Macron’s “insulting remarks” about a nation “living through dark times.” He asserted that Macron had “not hesitated to interfere in a matter that essentially concerns the Haitian authorities” by expressing his support for Conille, whom he described as “formidable.”
Conille, who previously held a senior position at the UN, was ousted just six months into his role due to internal divisions within the council. His replacement was Alix Didier Fils-Aime, an entrepreneur and former senate candidate.
In the video, when asked about the situation in Haiti, Macron was seen stating that it was the “Haitians who killed Haiti by letting drug trafficking take over.”
The French leader’s comments have triggered significant outrage in Haiti, prompting the country’s foreign ministry to call in France's ambassador late last week over what it characterized as “unfriendly and inappropriate” remarks.
Many in Haiti have long held France accountable for the nation’s enduring economic and political struggles. After gaining independence, Haiti was compelled to pay reparations to France for the loss of its most profitable colony. This financial burden persisted until the final payment was made in 1947.
A coalition of civil society organizations in Haiti has urged Paris to return the substantial reparations, which some estimates suggest could total in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, Haiti has endured years of political instability and violence, with various criminal gangs exerting control until the establishment of the transitional council earlier this year. This council was tasked with selecting Haiti’s next president, prime minister, and Cabinet, aiming to restore stability amid ongoing turmoil.
Facing numerous challenges and internal conflict, the council ultimately decided to dismiss Conille.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
