This October 17, 2024 brings back the 218th anniversary of the assassination of the Founding Father of the Fatherland, Jean Jacques Dessalines, Emperor Jacques 1st, in Pont-Rouge, north of Port-au-Prince following a plot organized by some of his generals. This day will be commemorated this year around the theme : "Jean-Jacques Dessalines : the social project and the achievements of an exemplary revolutionary".

Messages :

Augustin Antoine Ministry of National Education :

"[...] The brutal disappearance of Emperor Jacques 1st, on October 17, 1806, 218 years ago, remains a major historical fact in national history, the appropriation of which by young people contributes to the construction of a national consciousness likely to contribute to the recovery of the country, which is today facing multiple challenges.

The Ministry recalls the urgency of strengthening the awareness of young Haitians around events marking our life as a people with a view to a more responsible, more resolute commitment in the reorganization and consolidation of the nation."

Embassy of Haiti in Argentina :

"As part of the commemoration of the 218th anniversary of the Assassination of the Founding Father of the Fatherland, Jean Jacques Dessalines, the Embassy of Haiti in Argentina invites all fellow citizens to reflect on the project of freedom and well-being that he desired for all the damned of the earth, in particular for all Haitians by pronouncing the following words :

'Slavery is forever abolished in Haiti and must be abolished on the entire surface of the earth because the dignity of man, black or white, is restored forever and every human being must be and in fact is free to dream of happiness. We had fought and defeated oppression, segregationism, ostracism and racism, may our independence, symbol of victory for full freedom and respect for human rights, be the starting point of the universal struggle for the liberation of all other peoples hitherto subjected to colonialism despite their inalienable right to self-determination.'

Compatriots everywhere, today, more than ever, may unity and solidarity oblige us to unite to correct our errors and may the memory of the precious lessons of our history as a free people invite us to arm ourselves with courage, to rekindle the flame of patriotism in order to continue to defend our soil, our sons and our dignity in accordance with the model of resistance bequeathed to us by this great man to whom Human Rights are eternally indebted, Emperor Jean Jacques Dessalines the Great."

Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) :

"Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the great man who brought Haitians out of slavery and later became the first President and Emperor of the Nation. The man who loved Peace and Prosperity. The Mission wishes to celebrate this special day of Dessalines with all the good Haitians who remained and stood firm against the barbaric acts of a few gang members. As we celebrate this special day, the need to remain peaceful will be the greatest honor to the true liberator and Father of the Haitian Nation, whose vision served as an inspiration to all Haitians of good will. As a family, the Mission is committed to making Haiti live again."

RSSG Maria Isabel Salvador, Head of BINUH :

"On this October 17, the day of commemoration of the assassination of the founding father of Haiti, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, I reiterate our commitment to work with all stakeholders to restore security, peace and democratic institutions within the time frame set by the authorities. I also urge Haitian stakeholders to unite in a spirit of strengthening transitional governance in order to fulfill the commitments made to improve the living conditions of the population," Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

SL/ HaitiLibre