22/03/2018
BLOG - Will Haiti become a Member State of the African Union?
Haiti is a country located in the Caribbean Sea, and its population almost completely descended from African slaves. The country won its independence from France in 1804. General Jean Jacques Dessalines proclaimed the independent black republic of Haiti after rebel slaves defeated French troops. It was the world’s first black-led republic and the first independent Caribbean state when it freed itself from French colonial control and slavery. It gained its independence by paying reparations to France, which demanded reparation for former slave owners. This “independence debt” wasn’t paid off in full until 1947.
Following its independence, Haiti established itself as an advocate for the liberation of Africa from colonial rule after becoming the first black country to join the United Nations, giving many Africans a sense of indebtedness to Haiti.
The former African Union Chairman: “We have attachment and links to that country. The first black republic that carried high the flame of liberation and freedom for black people and has paid a heavy price for doing so”.
In 2012, Haiti became an observer state of the African Union. Shortly after, it petitioned to be an associate member due to its historical and cultural roots with the African continent. In addition to its roots with the African continent, accession to the African Union would open more economic opportunities for Haiti.
In 2016, the African Union Commission informed the public that Haiti would not be admitted as a Member State of the African Union, due to Article 29 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Article 29 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union stipulates that “Any African State may, at any time after the entry into force of this Act, notify the Charmain of the Commission of its intention to accede to this Act and to be admitted as a member of the Union”. This article limits the accession to African States, making it beyond the bounds of possibility for Haiti to become a Member State of the African Union.
Notwithstanding the fact that Haiti does not fall under Article 29 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, Haiti might be able to have a beneficial cooperation with the African Union in the future, through the “sixth region” of Africa. The Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organization falls under the African Union Commission and has been granted the responsibility to facilitate direct peoples’ involvement through Civil Society Organizations from Africa or the Africa Diaspora that wish to interact with the African Union as the “sixth region” of Africa. However, the proposed sixth region made of the African Diaspora is still awaiting ratification by the Member States of the African Union.
A conclusion can be drawn that, despite the fact that Haiti has unquestionable historical and cultural connections to Africa, the African Union is not willing to bend its rules for Haiti at this moment. As Article 29 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union is preventing any non-African States from becoming a Member State, Haiti will remain to keep its observer status for now. Provided that the Member States of the African Union ratify the proposed sixth region made of the African Diaspora, Haiti might be able to obtain a beneficial status in the African Union in the future.
