Manje kwit pa gen mèt
(8/20/2022-9/2/2022)
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Manje kwit pa gen mèt. Cooked food has no owner Haitian proverb
CHAY LA | BIG STORY
Peyi a an U.S.
The Central Bank of Haiti (BRH) has begun injecting millions of US dollars into the Haitian economy, in a last ditch effort to bolster the value of the Gourde. In recent weeks, the exchange rate has reached stratums as high as 160 gourdes for 1 dollar on the informal market (kanbis). As part of its monetary policy, BRH floods the economy with dollars to drive down its value. According to le Nouvelliste, BRH does so by selling dollars to banks (the very banks that hoard dollars causing the Gourde's value to plummet), and to import businesses (i.e. food, pharmaceuticals and construction materials) at a preferential rate. Fuel importers receive this privilege as well.
The Le Nouvelliste report makes it clear that ordinary Haitians do not have access to these precious dollars (except for a small number of people who have bank accounts). Such an intervention by the Haitian central bank should bring as much relief as possible, but the government seems to be set on doing the bare minimum. There is a nationwide fuel shortage and the government's regressive subsidies for the fuel industry strips the treasury of resources that could be used in other critical areas such as healthcare and education.
La conjonction de ce mois d’août est parfaite pour des changements majeurs. Cependant, plus que le dollar faible, plus que la baisse des cours du pétrole -- situations qui peuvent être éphémères -- une réforme douanière et fiscale (en fait une simple application juste mais uniforme des lois qui existent), peuvent aider le gouvernement à renflouer ses caisses, à réduire le déficit financé par la création monétaire (déficit qui est le point faible et l’assassin de la gourde) et à avoir des ressources conséquentes pour conduire de meilleures politiques.
Si à côté d’une pression fiscale ajustée, l’Etat se désengage de ses mauvaises pratiques sur le marché pétrolier (la subvention des carburants est un gouffre pour les finances publiques déjà déficitaires) pour se contenter de capter les taxes qui lui reviennent, le pays aura les moyens d’assurer la sécurité, d’acheter la paix, de faire du social et de penser à son relèvement après cinq ans de course vers les abîmes. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
At the same time, several business leaders have called for the government to fight against contraband and to tax them properly to fill the state's coffers with much needed resources to address the country's crippling insecurity. As bad as things are right now, a few decisive measures by the Ariel Henry administration to actually govern Haiti could go a long way and make a world of difference in the lives of the average Haitian.
POLITIK | POLEMIK
A tragedy in Croix des Bouquets
The senseless violence that has become ubiquitous in Haitian life over the last few years continues to claim lives. Among the latest victims are a mother-daughter trio, Josette Desenclos, and her children Sarahdjie and Sondjie Desenclos. According to reports, the three left their home in Croix des Bouquets on Saturday morning, headed for the Université de Port-au-Prince campus, where Sarahdjie Desenclos was a student. Sadly, they did not make it. Their car was found ablaze on the side of the route de Tabarre. A video of the two young women is making the rounds on social networks, garnering shock and awe from viewers over the killings. It is difficult to ignore that tragedies like this have been part of the Haitian reality for many years now.
Demonstrations across the country
On August 22, demonstrations took place across the country against insecurity and inflation. Protestors also called for Ariel Henry’s resignation, whose poor management has only deepened the country’s socio-economic crisis. Port-au-Prince saw a massive rally made up of civil society organizations, popular movements, trade unions and opposition parties — decrying fuel shortages and the rising cost of living.
Demonstrations and marches took place in other major cities such as Petit-Goâve, Miragoâne, Les Cayes and Jacmel against widespread insecurity, political instability and the cost of living crisis.
The mobilizations coincided with the 231st anniversary of the 1791 slave uprising that triggered a long struggle for Haiti’s independence from France in 1804. The demonstrators marched on the streets chanting slogans, such as “rise up for another independence”.
The authorities responded to these social protests with violent repression. In Port-au-Prince, the police shot tear gas at protesters in an attempt to disperse them from the Delmas 40 highway. A group of armed supporters of the Henry government then opened fire on protesters at Delmas 38. According to the Platform for National Mobilization, at least two people were killed and several were injured. (Source: People’s Dispatch)
Cap-Haitien saw sit-ins outside of banks against the ever-increasing devaluation of the Gourde against the US Dollar. Citizens also gathered in the streets, condemning the Ariel Henry administration for its inability to restore security in the country and to create the necessary conditions for elections. They also condemned the international community for its role in the matter, denouncing the UN, the OAS, and the Core Group as culprits in the present situation, having installed a puppet government and continuing business as usual.
In Cap, these actions were called by Jean Charles Moise, a former senator and presidential candidate, and the leader of the Platfòm Pitit Desalin party. He has only recently rescinded his support for the Henry administration, withdrawing from the "Political Accord for Peaceful and Effective Governance of the Interim Period", signed back in September 2021.
KILTIRÈL
Vodou in the Diaspora
On the sidewalks in their neighborhood, Vodou practitioners have started hosting candlelight processions, dedicating prayers to Haiti and to the refugees fleeing the country. A part of the large community of Haitians in New York, these Vodou Priests and Priestesses had long been confined to practicing in secret in basement temples, due to the stigma surrounding their practice.
According to a manbo named Florence Jean-Joseph, there are hundreds of small temples in basements across the state. Leaders in the community are now working to establish community temples to practice openly, and we hope they will be received with acceptance and respect. Written by Dieu-Nalio Chery, a Haitian photojournalist, the piece offers a beautiful little peak inside this world. Be sure to have a look for yourself.
The launch of poli.chic
Last week, singer and activist Sherlee Skai, launched poli.chic, beautifully bridging political and social issues with fashion using visual content, from the lens of the Haitian diaspora, Haitian Americans, and minority communities in general. Be sure to check out poli.chic for a unique and insightful take on social and political content, fashions tips and looks for days.
