Haiti, once a success story of enslaved Africans who withstood French and American imperialism, is currently experiencing a descent into madness. The national anthem, the 'Dessalinienne', reflects the irony of the situation. Haiti has faced challenges since its independence, including paying France 112 million francs to recognize its independence and enduring a 65-year embargo imposed by the United States. The US also occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934. The country has faced political unrest, social turmoil, and a devastating earthquake in 2010. The international community has provided aid, but there are concerns about the impact of NGOs and the lack of focus on rebuilding the agricultural infrastructure. Haiti is currently facing food insecurity, with 4.97 million Haitians projected to face severe hunger. The education system has also been severely affected, with schools closing and a brain drain occurring as professionals and families seek safety outside of Haiti. The Dominican Republic's opposition to a critical irrigation project has raised questions about maintaining Haiti's reliance on imported goods. The article calls for solidarity, self-reliance, and the pursuit of the rights and freedoms envisioned by Haiti's forefathers. It emphasizes the need for the international community to be a supportive ally rather than a savior. The article concludes with a rallying cry for Haiti to reclaim its sovereignty and build a future defined by bravery, resilience, and unity.
Haiti, a country known for its history of natural and unnatural disasters, continues to grapple with a deepening crisis of gang violence. According to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), between January and March 2024, there were 2,505 documented victims killed and/or injured, averaging nearly 28 victims per day. This represents a 53% increase compared to the previous period [647563ae]. The violence is concentrated in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where the highest number of victims have been documented [647563ae].
Life in Port-au-Prince has become a game of survival as violent gangs overwhelm the police and the government remains largely absent. Gang violence has killed or injured over 2,500 people in Haiti from January to March. Haitians are installing metal barricades, stockpiling supplies, and staying indoors to stay safe. Gang attacks can happen anywhere, any time, and even staying home does not guarantee safety. Schools, gas stations, and businesses have closed, leaving many unemployed. Over 95,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince in one month alone. The violence has left over 160,000 people homeless and aid groups say nearly 2 million Haitians are on the verge of famine [65c10d1a].
This alarming increase in violence is part of a larger wave of gang violence that has plagued Haiti for years. A report released by a Haitian human rights group earlier this year shed light on the horrific situation on the ground. The report revealed that from January to March 22, over 1,550 people were killed and more than 820 injured as a result of gang violence. The victims included a journalist, an army sergeant, an 80-year-old patient, a couple, seven people aboard a sailboat, nine bus passengers, and a photographer. The report also highlighted armed attacks on neighborhoods, gang rapes, and widespread displacement [3ad686cc] [8a19d38b].
The violence in Haiti is occurring amidst a political vacuum and a surge in slayings. The report attributes the current situation to complicity between gangs, police, and the country's elite [8a19d38b]. The country is currently without any elected officials since President Moïse was assassinated in 2021. The unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry, supported by the US, was recently forced out of office by mass demonstrations and gangs [20fe399c].
Haiti-watchers struggle with the failure to establish a successful democracy and economy, pointing to foreign, particularly US, intervention [20fe399c]. The idea that Haiti has been financially enslaved by France and the US is not controversial. Myriam JA Chancy's book, 'The Harvesting of Haiti: Reflections on Unnatural Disasters,' explores this topic. Edwidge Danticat, a Haitian-American writer, will be in conversation with Prof Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest to discuss Haiti's history and reframe the narrative [20fe399c].
In response to the dire situation in Haiti, activists and U.S. lawmakers have called for a halt on deportations of Haitian nationals living in the U.S. [8a19d38b].
The report seeks to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and shed light on the horrific violence unleashed by gangs in Haiti [3ad686cc].
Haiti has a rich and complex history beyond poverty and violence. The international community's interventions have often undermined Haitian sovereignty. Haiti's pre-revolution colonial economy was significant in the global economy. The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was the first successful slave revolt in history. Haiti opened its shores to enslaved and freed Africans in the 1820s. In 1825, Haiti was forced to pay a ransom to France for its revolution. President Aristide's campaign for reparations from France was unsuccessful. The United States considered seizing the Haitian port Môle Saint-Nicolas in the 19th century. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have a history of conflict and tension. Vodou has been misrepresented and misunderstood. The international aid effort after the 2010 earthquake was flawed. Haiti's security has been outsourced to external entities. Haiti's struggle for freedom and self-determination should be recognized and supported [b7e8abb3].