Pan-Africanist Kémi Séba urges Haitians to forgive gangs, calls it key to ‘second revolution’

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Speaking before hundreds of students at a university 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 against what he called the “exogenous forces” destabilizing the country. 

The provocative call on June 2, delivered at the State University of Haiti’s Henri Christophe campus in Limonade, has drawn mixed reactions as Haiti continues to grapple with a gang-fueled security crisis claiming thousands of lives and displacing over a million residents.

Séba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi in France to Beninese parents, framed his message as part of a broader pan-African revolution, asserting that reconciliation with the gangs—if they disarm and change course—is essential for Haiti’s political and spiritual rebirth.

“Without the desire to spread true love among us, without putting the guns down, Haiti won’t stand up,” Séba said. 

“If the gangs stop being assassins and become security forces who will stand beside the people in mobilizations to denounce the exogenous forces destabilizing Haiti, Haiti will become the epicenter of the Black revolution.”

The crowd, largely made up of university students, applauded loudly. Séba did not initially name the “exogenous forces” he referenced, but later identified the United States, Canada and France as foreign powers he believes are complicit in Haiti’s crisis. He accused those governments of flooding the country with weapons to stoke internal conflict.

“Those who present themselves as friends of Haiti have been their enemies from the beginning,” he said. “They give Haitians guns in massive quantities and sit back while we kill each other.”

A revolution’s epicenter

Séba’s visit to Haiti, following recent appearances in Ethiopia, Mali and Burkina Faso—countries that have distanced themselves from Western influence—signals his view of Haiti as pivotal to a global Black liberation movement. He referred to the country as the “epicenter” of a second Black revolution.

But while some attendees embraced his message of unity, others rejected the idea of forgiving gangs that have unleashed unprecedented levels of violence and suffering.

In 2024 alone, more than 5,600 people were killed in gang-related violence, according to United Nations figures. Armed groups control roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their influence into provincial cities such as Mirebalais and large parts of the Artibonite Department. Gang members have committed mass killings, extortions, sexual violence, arson and forced displacements across the country.

Despite that history, the Pan-Africanist political leader, activist, writer and geopolitical journalist known for his opposition to “Françafrique and imperialism” in the 21st century, insists forgiveness is the only viable path forward.

“The problem with Black people, like Malcolm X said, is that they’re very good at forgiving white people—those who colonized us—but we can never forgive Black people,” he said.

Séba claimed to have spoken directly with several unnamed gang leaders, saying some of them were moved to tears and expressed regret for their actions. Still, he added a caveat.

“Those who don’t seek forgiveness must be executed,” he said.

A polarizing message from France to Benin and Haiti

The proposal, arguably the first by a prominent figure to openly advocate for reconciliation with gangs, left attendees divided.

Jodlin ‘Gagòt’ Etienne, a small business owner from Quartier-Morin, a nearby Downtown Cap-Haïtien town, said that despite being affected by gang roadblocks, he supports Séba’s appeal.

“It’s not about forgiving—it’s about where forgiveness will take us,” Etienne said. “We need true forgiveness between us. We won’t be able to live well without it.”

Cap-Haïtien resident Mickenson Nordys also supports reconciliation, but noted that victims of gang violence—especially those in the capital—may not be ready.

“I haven’t lived what they’ve lived,” he said. “People who were raped, kidnapped, or displaced may not be ready to forgive like I am. But I believe that to move forward, we have to forgive by any means necessary.”

Séba is one of the most outspoken Pan-African activists of the past decade. In July 2024, he was stripped of his French nationality following years of anti-colonial activism. He is reportedly preparing a presidential bid in Benin for 2026.

During his stay in northern Haiti, Séba also spoke at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Management in Cap-Haïtien on May 30.

While his message resonated with some attendees, it also reignited painful debates about justice, accountability, and how to chart a path out of Haiti’s multidimensional crisis—a crisis shaped by both internal violence and long-standing foreign entanglements.

“Every student here is a means to realize the Haitian dream of living together,” Séba said. “I see in every young person a potential for resistance against national disintegration.”

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