An SOS for Haiti

By Leslie Péan*

Submitted to AlterPresse on February 5, 2024

Fear has changed sides. Panic gripped Port-au-Prince. The noose is closing on Ariel Henry who is no longer content to reduce Haiti to a state of jungle for almost three years, outside of all legality and legitimacy, without elected executive power, without parliament, without judicial power. The crisis has become widespread and the de facto government of Ariel Henry is in its final corner. Tension rises and soon shortages risk setting in everywhere. Industrialists and traders are threatened with bankruptcy.

The government created gangs to intimidate the people so that they would be afraid and would not demand their rights. This doesn’t solve the problem. On the contrary, insecurity is fueling the fires of revolt which has spread to seven out of ten departments. The government can no longer review its copy and adopt emergency measures. The time has come to call for responsibility from each and every one. While awaiting the arrival of armed troops from the Protected Areas Security Brigade (BSAP) allied with former senator and rebel leader Guy Philippe, popular mobilization movements led on one side by Jean-Charles Moïse, ex-mayor by Milot and on the other by the trade unionist Rosemond Jean [[1] took the lead and demonstrated in the capital. The ultimate form that the struggles took was the demonstration in front of Ariel Henry’s residence on February 4. The police officers from the Intervention and Order Maintenance Corps (CIMO) fired tear gas and quickly left. The demonstration did not look at them from near or far. Between these major movements, the classic political movements are timidly deciding on which foot to dance while preparing the recovery plan necessary to face the decade-long bankruptcy of the PHTK.

The greatest participation in the street battle is necessary to rally the last forces of the police and the army and force the government of Ariel Henry to close shop. We can only invite everyone to take this step to dismantle the last spaces of this puppet government because we are all in the same boat. Daniel Foote, former American special envoy to Haiti, has already sounded the alarm by declaring: “ Ariel Henry must resign or be ousted from power » [[2]. Insisting that reversal is the solution, the American diplomat continues: “ Dr. Henry, renounce your illegitimate role as Acting Prime Minister. You have failed the Haitian people, and any new episode of suffering will be your fault if you resist » [[3].

It’s time for anger. And for good reason. The American government must understand that it is in its interest to let Haitians choose their own leaders. We must stop interfering in the electoral results and impose a thug of the caliber of Michel Martelly to lead them as was the case with the elections under President René Préval in 2010 by threatening to cut off their financial aid. Because even when they bend, the heart is not there. Violating people’s dignity with money is the worst policy [[4].

*Economist, writer