Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s biweekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
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"Glorya" pa panyòl
"gloria" isn't spanish
Haitian proverb
CHAY LA | Main Story
Chess moves
Nearly two months after Ariel Henry was blocked from returning to the country, on Thursday, a new Presidential Council was installed at the National Palace even though another location was announced. For security reasons, only a portion of the plans were revealed to the public. Thursday, people were surprised to learn that the swearing-in happened at 8 AM that morning. Holding the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace is symbolically significant, particularly because the police have consistently been fighting armed groups from taking it. On social media and across Haitian radio stations that morning it felt like a statement was made. Beyond the symbolism, now everyone is cautiously waiting to see what this new council will do to improve the lives of Haitians.
Ariel Henry has officially resigned now that the council is in place. During the 22-month mandate, which shouldn’t be extended under any circumstances, elections are to be organized for a new president, lawmakers, and mayors to take office in February 2026.
The immediate next steps will be to vote for someone to lead the council among the seven voting members, to select a Prime Minister, and to form a government. We hope that won't take too long and won’t be dominated by the usual self interested practices that got us into this current mess. The Presidential Council has identified five priorities for the next two years. Their roadmap outlines the following goals:
To restore public security,
Organize a National Conference and Constitutional Reform,
Conduct democratic and participatory general elections,
Restore justice and the rule of law,
and achieve institutional and economic recovery.
Civil society organizations, journalists, and individuals following the political news are getting ready to apply pressure on this government to keep their word. Other actors, like the directors of the state’s culture and heritage agencies, have met to discuss their demands for this new government. A webinar on Haiti’s historic heritage was recently organized by CUHP-UEH, IERAH, and ISPAN if you’d like to learn more about the impact of crises and catastrophes on these sites and institutions. Most of all, everyone in Haiti is waiting for a solid security plan, its execution, and leaders who give a damn about their lives.
NEW ON WOY MAGAZINE
Les Grenadières nous font rêver
Haiti's women's soccer team has been making waves on the international stage — as a group and individually. Their participation in the World Cup last year was solid, view the caliber of the teams they faced and the challenges back home.
Individually, athletes on the team like Melchie Dumornay are absolute super stars in Europe. For Woy Magazine and Africa is A Country, Magdala Louis delved into the 50-year history of female soccer in Haiti and the challenges and promises of the current generation of Haitian players. Read the entire article here.
Les Grenadières—named for an armed unit of the Haitian indigenous army—have attracted significant attention for being what FIFA has called Haiti’s golden generation of women footballers, making their impact known year after year in the face of overwhelming local obstacles. (Source: Woy Magazine)
ON THIS DAY
On April 17th, the Journee Mondiale des Luttes Paysannes (International Day of Peasant Struggles) was commemorated this year by various organizations like FOKAL, Plateforme des organisations haïtiennes des Droits Humains (POHDH), and Mouvman Peyizan Papay This day presents us the opportunity to remind ourselves that the bedrock of the Haitian nation is peasant folk and invites us to commit to bolstering their leadership. The irrigation canals being built in Wanament, Malfety, and Tòbèk are examples among many. Haitian peasants are the descendants of the Indigenous Army and persisted in their push for a true democracy from the state in the Piquet Rebellion of 1844. They continue to practice democracy every day throughout the country through farmer associations, federations, and konbit practices.
Farmers across the country have been crushed by the weight of the insecurity crisis over the last few years — forced to abandon their fields and livestock — as gangs terrorize the population. Livestock is also stolen — ripping all sources of wealth from these people who rely mainly on their fields and livestock for income.
Latibonit is one such department severely impacted, with major dips in agricultural production, notably in rice cultivation and other staples. Gangs have also impeded the flow of goods thanks to their “tolls,” making access to markets within and outside the region more costly, impossible to access, or outright nightmarish while exponentially increasing the price of food products.
In the North and North East, civil society organizations and farmers are denouncing land seizures and schemes aimed at dispossessing peasants of their land in the interest of establishing free trade zones, exploiting mines, and implementing tourism projects.
La Plateforme des organisations haïtiennes des droits humains encourage toutes les initiatives des organisations paysannes, visant à défendre leurs droits et inciter l’État à agir en leur faveur.
Elle se dit prête à accompagner, par-devant la justice, les paysannes et paysans victimes d’arrestations illégales, tout en les incitant à continuer à se battre pour récupérer leurs terres et combattre la politique qui voudrait les chasser sur leurs terres, capables de produire à manger.
Quand l’État encadre les paysannes et paysans, il booste la production locale, permettant à Haïti d’être autonome sur le plan alimentaire, avance la Plateforme des organisations haïtiennes des droits humains. (Source: AlterPresse)
KILTIRÈL
On April 13th, Festival Rasin held Jounen Pòt Ovèt sou Atizay in Okap. This annual arts festival, organized by playwright Schebna Bazile, was condensed into one day this year. A series of workshops was provided for aspiring and emerging artists in various mediums, such as film, theatre, graffiti, photography, and paper mache.
Photos courtesy of Festival Rasin
CALL TO ACTION
Update: furniture drive in Philadelphia
Our furniture drive to support Haitian families moving to the Philadelphia area has progressed wonderfully thanks to everyone who took the time to donate. If you are in the Philadelphia area and would like to sign up to drive or assemble furniture, we could still use volunteers. Sign up at this form here.
SAVE THE DATE!
Philly friends, we are hosting a Haitian Flag Day Happy Hour!
When: May 17, 2024 Time: 6:30-9:30 pm Where: University City Arts League 4226 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Mark your calendars!