Overview:
Pan-Africanist activist Kémi Séba has urged Haitians to forgive gangs— in the event that they disarm and alter course—and ally with them to ignite a “pan-African revolution.” Séba stated some gang leaders wept throughout conversations about his proposal for reconciliation and revolution.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Talking earlier than a whole lot of scholars at a college symposium in northern Haiti in early June, controversial West African political activist and Pan-Africanist Kémi Séba urged Haitians to forgive gang members and unite with them towards what he referred to as the “exogenous forces” destabilizing the nation.
The provocative name on June 2, delivered on the State College of Haiti’s Henri Christophe campus in Limonade, has drawn blended reactions as Haiti continues to grapple with a gang-fueled safety disaster claiming hundreds of lives and displacing over 1,000,000 residents.
Séba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi in France to Beninese dad and mom, framed his message as a part of a broader pan-African revolution, asserting that reconciliation with the gangs—in the event that they disarm and alter course—is important for Haiti’s political and religious rebirth.
“With out the need to unfold real love amongst us, with out placing the weapons down, Haiti gained’t arise,” Séba stated.
“If the gangs cease being assassins and grow to be safety forces who will stand beside the individuals in mobilizations to denounce the exogenous forces destabilizing Haiti, Haiti will grow to be the epicenter of the Black revolution.”
“The issue with Black individuals, like Malcolm X stated, is that they’re superb at forgiving white individuals—those that colonized us—however we will by no means forgive Black individuals.”
Kémi Séba, Pan-Africanist activist
The gang, largely made up of college college students, applauded loudly. Séba didn’t initially identify the “exogenous forces” he referenced, however later recognized the US, Canada and France as overseas powers he believes are complicit in Haiti’s disaster. He accused these governments of flooding the nation with weapons to stoke inner battle.
“Those that current themselves as mates of Haiti have been their enemies from the start,” he stated. “They offer Haitians weapons in huge portions and sit again whereas we kill one another.”
A revolution’s epicenter
Séba’s go to to Haiti, following latest appearances in Ethiopia, Mali and Burkina Faso—international locations which have distanced themselves from Western affect—alerts his view of Haiti as pivotal to a worldwide Black liberation motion. He referred to the nation because the “epicenter” of a second Black revolution.
However whereas some attendees embraced his message of unity, others rejected the concept of forgiving gangs which have unleashed unprecedented ranges of violence and struggling.
In 2024 alone, greater than 5,600 individuals have been killed in gang-related violence, in line with United Nations figures. Armed teams management roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their affect into provincial cities reminiscent of Mirebalais and enormous elements of the Artibonite Division. Gang members have dedicated mass killings, extortions, sexual violence, arson and compelled displacements throughout the nation.
Regardless of that historical past, the Pan-Africanist political chief, activist, author and geopolitical journalist identified for his opposition to “Françafrique and imperialism” within the twenty first century, insists forgiveness is the one viable path ahead.
“The issue with Black individuals, like Malcolm X stated, is that they’re superb at forgiving white individuals—those that colonized us—however we will by no means forgive Black individuals,” he stated.
Séba claimed to have spoken immediately with a number of unnamed gang leaders, saying a few of them have been moved to tears and expressed remorse for his or her actions. Nonetheless, he added a caveat.
“Those that don’t search forgiveness should be executed,” he stated.
A polarizing message from France to Benin and Haiti
The proposal, arguably the primary by a distinguished determine to brazenly advocate for reconciliation with gangs, left attendees divided.
Jodlin ‘Gagòt’ Etienne, a small enterprise proprietor from Quartier-Morin, a close-by Downtown Cap-Haïtien city, stated that regardless of being affected by gang roadblocks, he helps Séba’s enchantment.
“It’s not about forgiving—it’s about the place forgiveness will take us,” Etienne stated. “We’d like true forgiveness between us. We gained’t have the ability to reside nicely with out it.”
Cap-Haïtien resident Mickenson Nordys additionally helps reconciliation, however famous that victims of gang violence—particularly these within the capital—will not be prepared.
“I haven’t lived what they’ve lived,” he stated. “Individuals who have been raped, kidnapped, or displaced will not be able to forgive like I’m. However I consider that to maneuver ahead, we have now to forgive by any means essential.”
Séba is among the most outspoken Pan-African activists of the previous decade. In July 2024, he was stripped of his French nationality following years of anti-colonial activism. He’s reportedly making ready a presidential bid in Benin for 2026.
Throughout his keep in northern Haiti, Séba additionally spoke on the College of Legislation, Economics and Administration in Cap-Haïtien on Could 30.
Whereas his message resonated with some attendees, it additionally reignited painful debates about justice, accountability, and tips on how to chart a path out of Haiti’s multidimensional disaster—a disaster formed by each inner violence and long-standing overseas entanglements.
“Each pupil here’s a means to comprehend the Haitian dream of residing collectively,” Séba stated. “I see in each younger particular person a possible for resistance towards nationwide disintegration.”