Politics & Democracy

In the wake of the UN’s decision to withdraw its military peacekeepers from Haiti, the Haitian government is now faced with questions about what, if any, military force should replace them to avoid a security vacuum. Haiti’s national army has been disbanded for 22 years, and, for many Haitians, the thought of reconstituting an army brings back memories of the political repression and destabilization associated with the prior military regime. Thus, while many Haitians do support the idea, others fear it will quickly become politicized and thwart Haiti’s democratic progress. Part of the article is shown below. Click HERE for the original article. With End of UN Mission Ahead, Haiti Seeks to Revive Its Military Voice of America (Associated Press) April 19, 2017 GRESSIER, HAITI — Their heads held high and chests puffed out, nearly 100 Haitian men in camouflage fatigues do jumping jacks or march around […]

The international community is hailing Haiti’s recent election as a sign that it is time for the United Nations to withdraw its peacekeeping force in Haiti, MINUSTAH. Leaders are concerned, however, about the Haitian National Police (PNH) remaining apolitical after the MINUSTAH drawdown because the last time the UN withdrew from Haiti, PNH became politicized and eventually collapsed. The current Haitian administration has mentioned its interest in creating a national army but UN Secretary-General Guterres is hoping international support will help make PNH more effective and Haiti’s permanent representative approved of Guterres’ report on the topic. Part of the article is below. Read the full text here. U.N. Security Council supports replacing Haiti peacekeepers with smaller mission Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald April 11, 2017 The United Nations’ Security Council is welcoming a call by Secretary-General António Guterres to move to […]

In this video, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and the senior African American woman serving in Congress; and Mildred T. Aristide, attorney and former First Lady of Haiti, discuss historical and contemporary matters that relate to African American and Haitian progress at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI. April 6, 2017

(The English translation of this letter is below.) BUREAU DES AVOCATS INTERNATIONAUX 3, 2ème rue Lavaud B.P. 19048 Port-au-Prince, Haïti Tel : +5092943-2106/ 07 Email: avokahaiti@aol.com   LETTRE OUVERTE   Port-au-Prince, le 28 Mars 2017 Monsieur Michel-Ange Gédéon Directeur Général de la Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH) En ses bureaux.-   Monsieur le Directeur Général, Le Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI), dans sa mission première de défendre les droits des plus démunis, les droits inaliénables, imprescriptibles et inhérents à la personne humaine, en particulier ceux des victimes du choléra importé par la MINUSTAH, des femmes victimes de viol, d’agression sexuelles et autres abus de droit, prend acte du refus systématique de la Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH) dont vous êtes son Directeur Général de donner suite aux notifications des organisations de Victimes de choléra, du Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) et du […]

After confirmation by the Haitian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, physician Guy Lafontant rose to second-in-command in the Haitian government. As the new Prime Minister, he urged the country to unite and build bridges between polarized, unequal and marginalized communities. Lafontant also stressed the importance of major reforms, and, like President Jovenel Moise, he committed the new administration to prioritizing agricultural investments. Part of the article is shown below. Click HERE for the full article. New prime minister urges Haitians to heal deep divisions David McFadden, Associated Press March 22, 2017 Haiti’s new prime minister on Tuesday urged this deeply polarized country to bridge divisions, and he vowed to bring steady advances even while acknowledging that the struggling nation has no shortage of accelerating problems. Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant, a physician and political outsider approved as Haiti’s No. 2 official after clearing a final parliamentary hurdle […]

Haitian president Jovenel Moise’s pick for Prime Minister, Guy Lafontant, was approved in the Haitian Senate by a 20-0 vote, with 7 abstentions. This marks his first step forward in pursuit of office, after the Senate confirmation hearing was delayed last Monday. The physician has been criticized for his delinquent tax history; he paid five years worth of taxes only after being nominated. Next, the decision will move on to the lower house, which must also approve the designate before he is to take office. Part of the article is shown below. Click HERE for the original article. Haiti’s Senate Approves Prime Minister-Designate Voice of America March 16, 2017 Haiti’s prime minister-designate has cleared the first major hurdle toward reaching office. Jack Guy Lafontant was approved early Thursday in the Senate by a vote of 20-0, with seven lawmakers abstaining. He still has to be approved […]