Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s biweekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
We can’t do this work without you. We have introduced a paid subscription option for our newsletter. Consider switching your free subscription to a paid one to support our work! Click the button below.
"Jan chat mache, se pa konsa l kenbe rat" The way a cat walks isn’t the way it hunts (Haitian Proverb)
CHAY LA | BIG STORY
PHTK refuses to negotiate
After another round of meetings, the Montana Group has announced having taken its distance from political discussions with de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry, damning the September 11th accord. In a press conference held on August 2, 2022, Jacques Ted St-Dic, member of the Accord’s monitoring board (BSA), stated that this decision follows a series of deleterious tactics employed on the side of the Prime Minister’s Office, demonstrating no real desire to advance a dialogue on the governance of the country.
Si Montana a déploré le fait que la Primature n’entend pas négocier sur la gouvernance du pays, le BSA lui ne compte pas transiger sur son agenda. « Les membres du BSA exigent des négociations sérieuses sur la base de l’agenda défini par les tenants de l’accord de Montana », a martelé Jacques Ted St Dic. « Nou mande pou nan ajannda a gen yon pwen ki rele : ‘’ Retabli, sou yon baz konsansis ak tranzisyonèl, twa pouvwa Leta yo, nan lespri Konstitisyon 87 la’’. Fòk Leta retabli lòd nan tèt li, nan enstitisyon l yo, nan kad yon konsansis laj, pou l gen mwayen enstitisyonèl ak politik nan men l pou rekanpe Larepiblik, pou l ka rezoud yon ansanm pwoblèm », exige Montana.
De l’autre côté, dans une contre-proposition de négociations politiques envoyée le jeudi 21 juillet 2022 aux membres de l’accord de Montana, l’accord du 11 septembre maintient sa position. Selon le document dont Le Nouvelliste a eu copie, l’équipe au pouvoir propose que les négociations se déroulent autour « des mécanismes pour arriver à se mettre d’accord sur un projet national commun pour la période de transition en cours ; définir l’environnement politique de la transition selon une architecture de gouvernance consensuelle ; la question de l’insécurité, la réduction drastique de la violence armée et le démantèlement des gangs armés et de leurs réseaux d’approvisionnement ». (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
Henry's own coalition is beginning to fall apart as well. Former senator Nènel Cassy has withdrawn his support and urged his fellow party members from Sektè Demokratik Popilè to do the same. Meanwhile, the head of Mouvman Twazyèm Vwa (MTV), Reginald Boulos, has resigned as party president citing health reasons.
Hundreds of children are currently taking shelter in the Saint Louis de Gonzague a well-know school in Port-au-Prince, located in Delmas 33. Most of them were fleeing the violence in Site Solèy and were separated from their parents. With the beginning of the school year looming, the fate of the children and other displaced people seeking refuge in this establishment remains unknown. What is certain, however, are the deep physical and psychological scars of these victims of war.
According to Betchina Louis, spokesperson for the Kizito Family (a religious organization offering support to these refugees), not one call or visit has come from the government or the local authorities. The only person to have come by is the current mayor of Site Solèy, Joël Janéus.
Le traumatisme subi par les enfants est aussi un obstacle face à une prochaine rentrée des classes. À leur arrivée au centre d’accueil, certains présentaient des blessures, confie la porte-parole de Famille Kizito. Mais en plus des séquelles physiques, il y a les séquelles psychologiques.
« Un des enfants n’a pas dit un mot depuis qu’il est là. Quand on essaye de lui en tirer quelques-uns, il nous mord », explique Betchina Louis. (Source: AyiboPost)
NOUVÈL
LIBERE EDNER DÉCIME
Haitian journalists are joining forces to denounce the kidnapping of their peer, Edner Décime, who works for AlterPresse. Edner was captured by armed individuals in late July, and has been held for ransom for nearly three weeks now. Hashtags and many statements from journalists and associations alike have poured in on social media, in solidarity with Décime and his family. His captors remain steadfast in their demands.
NEW ON WOY
What’s Next for Filmmaker, Etant Dupain?
Journalist and film maker, Etant Dupain has announced that he plans to release a new documentary. His last documentary, Madan Sara, was widely praised by audiences in Haiti and abroad. We had a chance to talk with him and find out what’s in the pipeline for him and his team.
You’ve recently announced your new film The Fight For Haiti. The title makes me think of the women in the Madan Sara film and their struggle to make ends meet in the midst of political and economic violence. What is the connecting thread between Madan Sara and your upcoming documentary?
With The Fight For Haiti, I am hoping to add some context to the current crisis in Haiti. Haiti makes headlines for many things, but not for the fight for the soul of the country. I deeply believe the fight against corruption and impunity in Haiti is a fight for the soul of the country. This is not a simple fight. This is a fight where citizens are confronting a corrupt elite with no real international support or solidarity, while the corrupt elite has the full support of the so-called international community.
Corruption is a major problem in Haiti. It is unbelievable to watch how certain countries react to the anti-corruption movement. The Fight For Haiti takes a deep dive into why the “international community” supports the corrupt politicians and business persons who stole the PetroCaribe money and the dream of millions.
I feel lucky to be able to tell our own story and show the world what’s really going on, instead of making headlines after major man-made disasters or natural ones.
The common thread of your work is how it highlights the urgency for political action. What do you hope this next film will accomplish?
The future of the anti-corruption and impunity movement hangs in the balance. Haitian politicians and the business elite with the total backing of the CORE group successfully dismantled the movement. With massacres, intimidation, putting the whole country under siege and making it impossible to protest.
I hope to show the world the incredible sacrifice Haitians are making to fight for a better Haiti. I am hoping this film will give the movement some well needed oxygen as Haiti is at a standstill. Millions of Haitians demand accountability and I don’t see a way forward without some form of accountability in the Petrocaribe scandal. A Petrocaribe trial can be a new beginning for Haiti.
I think the diaspora can play a bigger role in the fight against corruption and impunity, and I fully intend to use the film to mobilize more people in the diaspora to join the fight. (Read full interview on: Woy Magazine)
ON THIS DAY (July 23-August 5)
July 26th - Bòn fèt Konpa!
July 26th marks the honorary anniversary of the creation of Konpa, one of the most celebrated musical genres to have emerged out of Haiti. Woy’s Lead Editor, Nathalie Cerin, explored its origins and history in The birth of Konpa! – A conversation with Haitian producer and musician Fabrice Rouzier and singer-songwriter Nathalie “Talie” Cerin:
66 years ago, while on a visit to Haiti’s famous sacred waterfall Sodo, Haitian saxophonist Nemours Jean-Baptiste sat under a gazebo. He turned to his friend and fellow saxophonist, Webert Sicot, and said, “let’s start a band.” They went on to form Conjunto International with the addition of accordion, bass, and vocals. They played their first show on July 26th, 1955 in Port-au-Prince. July 26th has since gone down in history as the birthday of Konpa, Haiti’s most popular genre, the rhythm most internationally recognized as Haiti’s mark on music. (Source: WXPN-FM)
KILTIRÈL
Fèt Sen Jak
Celebrations held in Plèndinò (Plaine-du-Nord) known as the feast of Ogou Feray and Saint Jacques took place last week on July 30th, 2022. Pilgrims from far and wide, along with locals, gathered and observed this day. As part of the ceremonies — a sacred mud bath in Basin Saint Jacques.
These celebrations are part of a series of patronal tributes (fèt patwonal or fèt chanpèt) which take place every year across the country, from June to September. Attracting thousands from across the country and the diaspora, they hold great economic potential for the development of local economies.
Comme constat, durant ces festivités, les pèlerins utilisent, entre autres, très souvent des parfums « florida », des bougies, des cordons. La majorité de ces produits, se désole Fritz Jean, sont des produits importés. Et, l'une des boissons alcoolisées les plus consommées durant les champêtres, constate l'ex-gouverneur de la BRH, est un rhum produit en République Dominicaine, qui se vend sur le marché local à un prix accessible. « Nous disons aux entrepreneurs haïtiens qu'il y a une grande opportunité d'exploitation, de création de richesses dans le pays, notamment durant les champêtres dans le Nord, mais ce sont nos voisins de la République Dominicaine qui en sont les plus grands bénéficiaires. Nous ne recommandons pas de les chasser, mais dans un souci de développement économique de la région, les investisseurs haïtiens devraient en profiter », a déclaré M. Fritz Jean, estimant que les Dominicains en sont bénéficiaires parce qu'ils sont tout simplement conscients de l'importance de ce marché. ( Source: Le Nouvelliste)
DEGI | RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE YOU GO
Well-Being Study to Compare Mental and Overall Health Among Haitian and Haitian American Groups - InventUM | University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Magnolia species lost to science for 97 years rediscovered in Haiti | Endangered species | The Guardian
Towards a Decentralized Haitian State – Local Public Sector Alliance
"Panoply: Haitian and Haitian-American Youth Crafting Identities in U.S" by Fabienne Doucet
H-France Review Vol. 22 (April 2022), No. 50 Alyssa Goldstein Sepinwall, Slave Revolt on Screen: The Haitian Revolution in Film and Video Games by Cécile Accilien
CHEN JANBE, se sou ekspresyon popilè sila LA POÉSIE jodi a chita… KitMedia ak Ricardo Boucher
NGO Shadow Report on anti-Black US Immigration Practices Submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | Human Rights First
A Miami-bound boat capsized off The Bahamas, killing 16 adults and one child | Miami Herald
Festival Féministe Nègès Mawon 2022 "Mon Corps Au Sens Propre… Et Défiguré" Ilegal | Chokorella