Filed under: Haiti, Haitian Politics | Tags: elections, Haiti, United Nations
Well, Haiti’s long awaited senatorial elections came and went without much hoopla. Voter turnout was extremely low – for example, out of a dozen or so Haitians I’ve surveyed, only one voted. This is do partly to the general dissatisfaction with Haiti’s politics on the one hand and a fear that the elections could have turned violent on the other.
Violence seems to have been minimized, with the only notable exception being Mirebalais where groups of people barged into the polling stations and tore up ballots. Apparently consistent with their mandate, the United Nations troops on hand stood by and watched, according to some who witnessed it. As a side note, a few days after the election, walking through a rural village a few miles outside of Mirebalais, I came across a few dozen of the ballots ripped up and scattered along a dirt path.
The results of the elections won’t be known for maybe a week more, but people don’t seem to be on pins and needles. In a country where 1% of the population is said to control 75% of the country’s wealth, democracy probably doesn’t seem very democratic.
Filed under: Haiti, Haitian Politics | Tags: elections, Fanmi Lavalas, Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Haiti votes tomorrow. The elections are controversial because the political party with the broadest support – former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas party – isn’t being allowed to participate. The reason is logical enough and Fanmi Lavalas only seems to have themselves to blame: two groups submitted themselves to the election council claiming to represent Fanmi Lavalas and neither group was able to get the authorization of the party’s chariman for life, Aristide. So neither was allowed to participate.
Fanmi Lavalas has said it will boycott tomorrow’s elections but people are sitting tight to see if things become violent. To maintain public tranquility, public transportation will be suspended tomorrow, cars and/or motorcycles won’t be allowed out (it’s not totally clear), along with a closure of all businesses, and a general curfew.
As a side note, I haven’t found anyone yet who says they’re voting. Everyone seems to be of the opinion that politicians are all liars and so they don’t want to support any of them. And these are all educated, well-meaning citizens, the type of people you hope would be voting and playing a roll in their country’s democracy. Well, maybe next time.
Filed under: Economic Development, Haiti, Haitian Politics | Tags: Ban Ki-moon, Development, Economic Growth, FONKOZE, Haiti, International Crisis Group, Paul Collier, UN Secretary General, United Nations
Haiti is a country with an image problem. It’s a country whose poverty and chaos is often on display, but not much beyond that. Its people, its culture, its creativity, its beauty is sidelined for poor naked kids eating dirt cookies.
This is a problem for Haiti, a country trying to attract tourists and build the economic foundations for a stable and prosperous society. It obscures what Haiti has to offer. It inspires poverty-fatigue, leading international audiences to think Haiti is forever doomed to be a basket-case. It’s also a problem I can be guilty of contributing to.
My work with Fonkoze is focused on programs aimed at Haiti’s poorest. And it results that my work forms the basis for my writing, hence the images and tales of extreme poverty and the “ultra poor.” I should make it clear, however, that this is not all there is to Haiti. This is just a segment of the population. I hope this much is clear: Haiti is more than suffering and deprivation.
Now, imagine my excitement when I came across a report, by a noted expert of “fragile states,” who is optimistic about the economic future of Haiti. The report is well elaborated and well argued, showing light at the end of the tunnel for Haiti – as long as certain preconditions can be met. It was specially prepared for the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
I’ve linked to the document here for all interested. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in Haiti’s current and future economic prospects read this report. It clearly identifies the sectors poised for growth.
I have also linked to a report by the International Crisis Group, a well-respected and influential organization “working to prevent conflict worldwide.” This second document is a must read for anyone looking to get up-to-speed on the current state of economic, social and political affairs in Haiti. It’s concise, well researched, and full of priceless insights.
The documents, while offering up reasons for concern, show that Haiti is at a crossroads in its history; at a singular moment to escape the cycle of violence and chaos that has kept it poor. If the country can take advantage of its opportunity, who knows what tomorrow may hold for Haiti.
I love to hear opinions on the two pieces I’ve posted here. Positive? Negative? Something in between?
