Pa gen wout pa bwa
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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Musical chairs
Former neurosurgeon and de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry continues his stint at the helm of the nation by reworking his cabinet. This is a result of an agreement signed by Ariel with a number of parties from the opposition. Henry’s new government consists of 8 new ministers. Consistent with PHTK in fighting, installing the new cabinet even included a standoff at the national palace. It might have been funny to watch these people try their hand at government if it weren’t costing us our future.
Meanwhile, the Commission to Search for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis continues with their proposal for a transitional government. It consists of 13 commissioners representing all sectors of Haitian civil society, including “unions, professional associations, farmers’ alliances, human rights and diaspora organizations, Vodou groups and churches” — and has sought to offer a Haitian-led solution built on consensus and inclusion. Their efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears however.
On Aug. 30, we unveiled a blueprint for creating a transitional government backed by many political parties and sectors of Haitian society that had never before reached consensus.
It proposes an interim government whose members, in the absence of elections, will be nominated by various sectors to legitimately represent Haitians. There would be a president of the transition and head of government, as well as a representative body that can check executive power. It sets goals for strengthening institutions ahead of elections, working with many capable, well-intentioned civil servants who yearn to be able to do their jobs effectively.
It contains provisions that guard against self-interest, for instance, preventing commission members from holding leadership positions in the transitional government. The accord, which now has more than 900 signatories from groups representing millions of Haitians, includes participants who disagree with one another, ensuring diverse points of view. (Source: New York Times)
Both prior and since the assassination of the late de facto President Jovenel Moise, key players — notably the United States — have propped up his illegitimate government, currently led by Henry. One can only imagine why “the leader of the free world” would show such unwavering support for an evidently illegitimate and incapable government — to anyone with eyes and any sense at all.
This week we are naming the members of the National Transition Council, which is expected to select an interim president and head of government. This should lead to a negotiation for the departure of Mr. Henry, who said he would step down if not wanted. (Source: New York Times)
Creation of a task force on insecurity in Haiti
A group of citizens have formed a working group on security to offer expert recommendations to the government, and pressure it to make the necessary decisions for addressing the dire security situation. It is composed of experts in human rights, security, the private sector, the trade union sector, the religious sector, the academic sector, the diaspora and grassroots civil society associations.
The objective of the task force is to collect data, offer scientific analysis, and develop strategies and concrete proposals to remedy insecurity, and appeal to national and international authorities to improve security in the country.
L’ensemble de ces personnalités signataires du document s’engagent à titre personnel ou comme porte-parole d’institutions.
La mission principale du Gts est d’« encourager la collaboration entre la citoyenne/le citoyen et l’appareil sécuritaire d’Haïti, en vue de résoudre le problème de l’insécurité dans le pays, à court, moyen et long terme ».
« Haïti fait face, depuis quelques années, à une crise de sécurité multidimensionnelle et multiforme, qui prend, de nos jours, des proportions alarmantes et qui met en péril les fondements de la république », relève le Gts. (Source: AlterPresse)
Kidnappings continue to be commonplace in the country — with more than 100 cases in November alone according to CARDH — and the government still remains unable to free Matisan which has been under siege since June because of warring gangs.
The world keeps spinning
What's it like going to school in a neighborhood terrorized by gangs? The students and administrators of the Lycée Daniel Fignolé in Delmas 6 shared their stories of persistence despite a recent attack on their school which took place on November 11th, and the generally dangerous conditions they must navigate for the sake of education.
« Normalement on est venus avec un sentiment de peur mais on est obligés de venir ici. Nos parents sont au courant. Ils nous demandent d'être prudents. Quant à nous, on ne laisse pas la peur et le stress nous envahir. Tant que c'est possible, on vient chaque jour », dit-elle avec bravoure. Au lycée Daniel Fignolé, les élèves sont venus en grand nombre malgré les détonations incessantes et la chaleur suffocante des hangars. Ils semblent être habitués à la situation. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
Earthquake Update
Following the earthquake which took place on August 14th, the Haitian government requested the support of the United Nations to conduct a post-disaster evaluation of the losses incurred in the Southern peninsula. The report has been released and reveals the extent of the damage. The agricultural, business, industrial, and services sectors have suffered losses amounting to US$ 213.2 million; and on its own, the agricultural sector has incurred losses amounting to US$ 43.7 millions; dealing a devastating blow to already weak economies. The report also states that an estimated US$ 197.3 millions will be needed to remediate losses incurred in South, Grand-Anse, and Nippes Departments.
In a recent piece for Woy Magazine, Cassendy Lafond reflects on the citizen response to come to the aid of the people in the South after the earthquake, and the limitations of the country’s public sector to respond to such a disaster.
However, it is also true that efforts from the Civil Protection Agency during the last 10 years in bringing awareness on cyclones and earthquakes had been made. And this time around, this agency took steps to manage the response. It’s even been noted that, this time, NGOs and the UN made an effort to conform. But due to lack of funds and poor long term planning, the Civil Protection was unable to bring aid to many of those hit by the natural disaster. After the earthquake, the Civil Protection estimated that more than 650, 000 people were in need of assistance. In their last report, posted on their website, dated September 4th, they say they’ve been able to reach 70,000 families, which is about half of the amount of people estimated. 10 years after a similar disaster had hit (where an estimated 300,000 people lost their lives), the Haitian government is still an unfit first responder to its people.
For the time being, only solidarity can help alleviate the population’s burden. The day after the earthquake, various groups of people, coming from diverse social backgrounds, began cooperating to get help to the Southern peninsula of the island, where damages were substantial. From the internet to radio stations, calls for solidarity were coming from everywhere, and everyone was lending a hand. Messages were sent out quickly. It had been a long time since Haitian solidarity had been this palpable and concrete. (Source: Woy Magazine)
Investigation Update
Gilbert Dragon, a suspect in Moise's assassination is said to have died of COVID-19 while being transferred from pretrial detention to hospital on November 17th. Human rights organizations claim that his death was actually a result of negligence on the part of authorities and are calling for an investigation.
Gilbert Dragon, 52, a former police commissioner, died of cardiac arrest, said Marie Leslie Noel, adding she spent two weeks trying to get him moved to a hospital and struggled to get a COVID-19 test done on time.
"I finally got the authorization to bring him to the hospital this afternoon, and he died while was on his way," said Noel. "I had been fighting to get him out for two weeks."
Interior Minister Liszt Quitel did not reply to a request for comment. (Source: Reuters)
Clairin Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye
Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye, a commune of Marmelade in Artibonite is relishing from its expertise in the fabrication of kleren. Made using a secret recipe known only to those of the region, “clairin Saint-Michel” is recognized as being some of the finest. Best practices which can be applied include: the omission of sugar cane waste — as is done in other regions — and the appointment of a comptroller who is responsible for monitoring the manufacturing process for the craftsmen of the Saint-Michel commune.
Le « clairin Saint-Michel » jouit d’une réputation qui dépasse les frontières. Des voitures sillonnent la ville, à longueur de journée, à la recherche de ce précieux liquide pour les écouler dans les villes voisines ou à Port-au-Prince. Selon une enquête réalisée par l’Association des Guildives de Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye il y a six mois de cela, cette commune compte 2 500 guildives. « Au moment où je vous parle, il est fort probable que le nombre de guildives avoisine les 3 000 », estime Emmanuel Alexis, coordonnateur de l’association. (Source: AyiboPost)
C’est un rempart que notre dieu
Haiti is known for its forts, particularly those built after independence to secure the island and ward off any attempts by France to reinstate slavery. Check out this map from Paul Clammer of forts throughout the country. It distinguishes between forts built during the colonial era and those built by Jean Jacques Dessalines and Henry Christophe.