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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Sèl pa vante tèt li di l sale
Salt doesn't boast that it's salty
(Haitian Proverb)
CHAY LA | Main Story
February 7th and the days that followed were characterized by general strikes and large protests in the cities of Pòtoprens, Okap, Wanament, Okay, Gonayiv, Ench, Pòdepè, Miragwàn, Tigwav, Grangwav, Akayè, and Jeremi. Politicians from the opposition, like Claude Joseph and Moise Jean Charles, took to the streets calling for the departure of defacto prime minister Ariel Henry.
Henry was due to leave office on February 7th according to his own transition plan, but having failed to organize elections, he remains at the head of the country with no checks on his power.
February 7th is particularly important to Haitians because, in the Haitian constitution, it is the date when the newly elected head of state is supposed to be sworn in — a date established to commemorate the fall of the Duvalier regime on February 7th, 1986. Because of this constitutional significance and historical symbolism each year leading up to this date, Haitians debate the constitutional legality and legitimacy of those in power, and protests are usually organized. In 2021, Woy Magazine weighed in on this when Jovenel Moise claimed he had one more year to finish his term.
President Jovenel was installed on February 7th of 2017. The constitutional calendar had his installation scheduled for February 7th, 2016. This was delayed because the first round of the 2015 elections were annulled because of fraud that was committed in favor of PHTK, Jovenel Moise’s party, according to the official Independent Commission Election Evaluation that was done after these elections. There was further delay because of Hurricane Matthew. Because of this, a new Provisional Electoral Council was established to continue the elections. They redid the first round, and Moise was named the winner as of the first round making a second round no longer necessary.However, this was still a continuation of the same election. Source: Woy Magazine
Some argue that the cooptation of this date—which represents a victory for Haitians who fought the murderous Duvalier dictatorship—by politicians has diminished its splendor.
This decline of February 7’s stature as a milestone may have started decades ago. That fall became very obvious just between the Martelly and Moise administrations, as the former stepped down in 2016. That drop has continued since. Each year, the demands, deals and deadlines linked to February 7 have created much fodder for politicos, keeping the news media and observers busy following every sensational development. Yet, when we’ve looked back at those moments weeks or months later, and with the lens of whether any progress was made in pulling Haiti out of crisis, these power plays look like mere distractions. Flashbangs, yes, but still with no substance. Source: The Haitians Times
Some of the anti-government protests this time around saw people wounded, the looting and vandalism of certain governmental offices, several police stations under attack, and people displaced from their homes in Gwo Mòn.
In Port-au-Prince, five BSAP agents were killed by police officers, and three others were arrested in Laboule. As discussed in our previous newsletter, you may recall that leaders within the Protected Areas Security Brigade (BSAP) aligned themselves with Guy Philippe as he campaigned for support to depose Ariel Henry following his deportation from the US. The circumstances surrounding these deaths are still unclear.
The Military Association of Haiti (Association militaire d'Haïti) is calling for Ariel Henry’s government to "put everything on the table, […] to prevent a fratricidal 2-tier confrontation between the BSAP and the Armed Forces of Haiti (Forces armés d'Haïti), a confrontation which [Henry] would certainly not survive,” warning of a potential confrontation between the BSAP, the PNH, the Forces armés d'Haïti, gangs and possible mercenaries.
POLITIK/POLEMIK
20 years since 2004
This February also marks the 20th anniversary of the second coup d'état on Aristide following months of organizing by civil society organizations and business leaders like Andy Apaid. Aristide left the country on the night of February 28, 2004, on a plane provided by the Americans. In the previous weeks, groups of armed men took control of Gonayiv and Okap, and news that Guy Philippe and armed men were marching on Pòtoprens.
In his latest book, Jake Johnston reveals that Philippe's armed group received support from the US as well. He joined Catalina Villegas on Rolli’s Experts Explain Everything Podcast to discuss the situation in Haiti.
Since then, Haiti's institutions have been weakened, and the security situation has deteriorated. Whatever the critics of Aristide were as a president, his ouster twice as a democratically elected Haitian president significantly damaged the presidency and the state in general, leaving it ever more entrenched in state capture.
The 2004 coup did not stop at rejecting Aristide’s popular mandate. In its aftermath his supporters in Site Solèy and other poor neighborhoods were vilified as thugs.
Movements led by economic elites who use armed groups to maintain the status quo should be confronted with clear-eyed intelligence. This is by no means an endorsement of Ariel Henry, but to push him out without a plan will only perpetuate this "transition." Haitians need to come up with a political agreement and organize elections. Without a legitimate group of leaders, Haitians will be forced to continue to fend for themselves or flee the country.
KILTIRÈL
Kanaval P ap Kanpe
Carnival took place in Pòtoprens, Jakmèl, Okap, and Fò Libète February 11th-13th. All over social media, Haitians debated the merits of taking the streets for what seems like a party when gangs control so many neighborhoods in the capital and people continue to be displaced.
Carnival has always been a political tool used by the state, the private sector, and the people for various ends. Choosing to participate or to skip carnival is a form of protest used by musicians as well. For instance, this year in Okap, Tropicana chose not to participate in the carnival, while Septentrional did. Septen was heavily criticized for this, and this isn't a new debate.
During the Petrocaribe movement, activists were disappointed when Haitian carnival legends Manzè and Lòlò of Boukman Eksperans refused to boycott carnival, claiming as artists that they had a right to work.
There are many aspects of carnival that should be questioned, from who funds it and corruption to the real risks involved in organizing major events in the streets and the content of carnival songs.
The reality is carnival isn't just a party. It's a popular expression that has historical, political, and economic importance. It ties us to the rest of the African diaspora and is steeped in political protest and artistic expression.
»» #Woy Rewind:
Check out our coverage of carnival for more on WoyMagazine.com — from the economic benefits of carnival to the invaluable lessons that can be learned through this ancestral celebration:
Chaloska Elatriye : kèk Tradisyon Kanaval Ayisyen Nou pa Negosye by Sophia Fecu
My Kids Dressed As Local Haitian Heroes for Kanaval This Year, and Learned a Valuable Lesson by Daphné Bourgoin
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