“Citizen Gusti-Klara Gaillard Pourchet, in her capacity as historian, is appointed co-chair of the Franco-Haitian Joint Commission of Historians,” reads Article 1 of this decree from the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). In this capacity, Ms. Pourchet, according to the decree, is entrusted with the mission of “coordinating” the work of the Haitian side of the joint commission and taking part in coordinating all of its work with a view to producing the “final collective report.”

The Haitian component of the joint commission is tasked with establishing “updated and ongoing knowledge” and “the facts at the origin of and stemming from” the 1825 indemnity. It is called upon to “conduct the necessary historical research, studies, and investigations” to shed light on the imposition of the independence indemnity and its lasting repercussions. It must also periodically inform the Haitian state about the progress of the commission’s work. According to the decree consulted by Le Nouvelliste, the Haitian component must submit to the Presidency “a detailed report on the progress of the commission’s work” every three months.