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This pattern, which I call “present moment syndrome,” is characterized by a dangerous myopia among Haitian leaders, a belief, it seems, that their tenure in power is endless
Amid the escalating crisis in Haiti, destructive and repetitive behavior has emerged among its leaders. This pattern, which I call “now syndrome,” is characterized by a dangerous myopia among Haitian leaders, a belief, it seems, that their tenure in power is endless. This false sense of permanence not only blinds them to the temporal nature of their positions, but also disconnects them from the terrible realities facing the Haitian population.
The current situation in Haiti is a striking illustration of this syndrome in action. With more than 8,400 victims of gang violence in the last year alone, including murders, kidnappings and widespread sexual violence, the country’s leaders appear not only out of touch, but deaf to the calls of their people. The protests against Prime Minister Ariel Henry, with citizens denouncing the government’s failure to address insecurity, poverty and declining infrastructure, further highlight this disconnect.
Read also: Lyonel Trouillot | Never have the people been so despised!
This disconnection is not a simple oversight; it is willful ignorance. Leaders, locked in the trappings of power, often fail to view their mandate through the lens of service and stewardship. Instead, they view their positions as rights, leading to governance that prioritizes self-preservation over public service. This syndrome is not unique to Haiti, but is particularly egregious given the country’s prolonged suffering and instability.
This false sense of permanence not only blinds them to the temporal nature of their positions, but also disconnects them from the terrible realities facing the Haitian population.
Furthermore, international interventions in Haiti have often exacerbated rather than alleviated this syndrome. By supporting regimes that lack legitimacy in the eyes of the Haitian people, the international community inadvertently fuels the illusion of permanence among Haitian leaders. This support, often provided in the name of stability, has the perverse effect of consolidating leaders disconnected from their population, thus reinforcing the syndrome of the present moment.
Such interventions, while well-intentioned, often prioritize superficial stability over meaningful democratic governance, thereby neglecting the underlying issues that perpetuate cycles of violence and poverty. Not only has this approach failed to produce lasting peace or development, it has also contributed to the disillusionment and frustration of the Haitian people, who view international actors as complicit in their suffering.
Read also: A look back at 15 years of UN failures in Haiti
It is important to note that the syndrome of the present moment and the superficiality of international interventions share a common fault: a lack of consideration of the reality of the Haitian experience. To move forward, Haitian leaders and the international community must adopt a long-term perspective that prioritizes the well-being and aspirations of the Haitian people over short-term political gains or the illusion of stability.
By supporting regimes that lack legitimacy in the eyes of the Haitian people, the international community inadvertently fuels the illusion of permanence among Haitian leaders.
By looking at other nations facing similar challenges, it becomes clear that a different approach is possible. Countries like Rwanda have shown how, with a strong commitment to national reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction, a country can significantly recover.
Rwanda has adopted bold political and economic reforms that have transformed the country and improved the lives of its citizens. Haiti could draw inspiration from such successes by adopting a reconstruction strategy focused on inclusion, justice and sustainable development.
Read also: Opinion | Does Rwanda really have lessons to teach Haiti in terms of collective resilience?
The path forward requires a concerted effort to break this cycle. Haitian leaders must become aware of the temporality of their positions and the solemn responsibilities they imply. International actors, for their part, must reassess their approach to Haiti, ensuring that their interventions do not support illegitimate regimes, but rather support genuine efforts towards democracy, stability and of prosperity, rooted in the needs and desires of the Haitian people.
It is with a spirit of pragmatic optimism that we must view Haiti’s future. By recognizing the challenges, but also celebrating the possibilities. Only then can Haiti begin to heal the wounds of the past and move toward a future that its people desperately need and richly deserve.
Par Stéphane Vincent
A doctoral student in education, Vincent is a former state civil servant and a politically engaged citizen.
Cover image: De facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry addressed the nation on the night of February 7-8, 2024, as nationwide protests called for his departure from power. | © Prime Minister
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