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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Men anpil, chay pa lou
Many hands make a lighter load
(Haitian proverb)
CHAY LA | Main Story
The Puppet Master Plays The Pawn
On August 20th, the US put forth new sanctions against former President Joseph Michel Martelly, aka Sweet Micky, for drug trafficking destined for its shores and for backing gangs who have been terrorizing the country over the last five years. As part of the sanctions, Martelly’s assets have been frozen, and American citizens have been barred from doing business with him. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Martelly came to power after the US pressured then-President René Preval and the election officials to change election results in 2010. Martelly’s rise to power and his PHTK party have led to the destruction of Haitian public institutions, massacres, kidnapping, and the displacement of thousands of Haitians.
Haitians also recently moved to bar the famed musician and former head of state from performing during the Caribbean parade in New York City on Labor Day. This is one of many performances the Haitian civil society in the diaspora has deprived Martelly of. Organizers argue that allowing Martelly to perform may encourage him to renew his bid for office in Haiti, theorizing how Martelly tests public opinion on himself.
These developments are a legacy of the anti-corruption and anti-impunity activism of the Petrocaribe movement that rocked the nation from 2018-2021. A recent panel held in Okap after the screening of Fight for Haiti, a documentary on the Petrocaribe movement, addressed the ongoing efforts to change how politics are done in Haiti.
The hand of US imperialism has been clear in Haiti’s politics, but these sanctions don’t happen without years of organizing and pressure from Haitians for the West to stop backing PHTK. Unfortunately, PHTK has many faces, and the US killing one of its darlings does not signal an end to its imperialist project in the country. But this serves as a reminder that citizens of the world have the right to seek and mobilize instruments within and outside their country to attain accountability and build the political class they want to see.
POLITIK/POLEMIK
Accusations of Bribery in the CPT
Impunity is an ongoing struggle in Haiti as three members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), Smith Augustin, Louis Gérald Giles, and Emmanuel Vertilaire, have been accused of seeking bribes. How the council decides to address this scandal sends a message to the whole country about the viability of the council to function as an institution and deliver any concrete results during this two-year transition.
The non-voting members of the CPT have said that the accused parties should step aside. Now, the eminent leaders of Caricom who visited have echoed those sentiments. Government ministers have also applied pressure on the CPT. Seven of them refused to attend a high-level meeting this week, claiming they will not collaborate with the accused CPT members.
In response to this pressure, Augustin, representing EDE, Louis Gérald Giles from the incumbent government, and Emmanuel Vertilaire, representing Pitit Desalines, were all questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) this week. This development has been welcomed as the CPT is now perceived as cooperating with the investigation, but some analysts claim that to really give the investigation a real chance, the accused CPT members should leave the council at least temporarily.
POLITIK/POLEMIK
Kenyan Mission Update
More issues arise with the Kenyan Mission (MSSM), as Kenyan officers go without their full pay for two months — causing frustrations among the troops. This is just the latest in a string of problems that have plagued this absurd mission and its operations since late June.
As discussed in our previous newsletter, missing equipment has been a concern voiced by Haitian officials and, later, the Kenyans, even as boots hit the ground and operations began. Meanwhile, as their men await their pay, The Kenya Times boasts of the arrival of 24 additional armored vehicles.
Both the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Kenyan police have long been accused by the countries they are supposed to serve of corruption and brutality. One analyst outlines the PNH’s interest in keeping a climate insecurity by setting up a lucrative business that transports people in their armored vehicles for a fee. What could these two problematic police forces possibly accomplish for the Haitian people?
Fond Parisien and Ganthier Protest Insecurity
Ordinary Haitians aren’t waiting idly for the Kenyan troops and Haitian National Police to come to their rescue. This week, folks in Fond Parisien and Ganthier took to the streets to protest the insecurity in their neighborhood. This protest comes a month after an increase in violence and a recent failed attempt to push out armed groups by PNH and the Kenyan troops.
As the summer comes to a close, parents are apprehensive about how the upcoming school year will go. Many displaced families are taking shelter in schools. Last week, people from Kafou Fèy protested to demand the government provide security and support to allow them to return home with dignity. As of June 20, an estimated 578,074 people have been internally displaced this year alone.
ON THIS DAY
Kanal la p ap kanpe
In a bid for greater food security and independence from imported goods, it has already been one year since the movement to build the canal in Wanament began. One of the greatest demonstrations of Haitian solidarity in recent history, the construction of the canal has garnered support from Haitians far and wide despite resistance from our neighbors.
The Dominican Republic has actively worked to block Haitian access to this shared resource amid renewed tensions within the country to expel Haitians in mass, and tensions on the border.
Built primarily through crowdfunding efforts, the canal is near completion after just one year and has inspired the construction of other canals around the country in Fò Libète, Tòbèk in the South, near Gonayiv in Latibonit. These canals are critical for the irrigation of croplands, empowering local Haitian farmers and economies to feed the country. For more information on this story, visit our past newsletter on the topic: