By Marie Farah Fortuné, Alterpresse, Dec. 27, 2023
Frantz Voltaire, a historian, publisher, and chairman of the Centre international de documentation et d'information haïtienne, caribéenne et afro-canadienne (CIDIHCA) spoke recently on the TiChèzBa program, broadcast on the private station AlterRadio 106.1 FM. Voltaire considers the negotiations underway between the political players in Haiti to resolve the crisis in Haiti "a fool's bargain".
Voltaire invited the Montana movement and other sectors in the country to define what type of society, politics, and development they want in the face of the most serious crisis the country has faced since the American occupation.
Voltaire criticized Prime Minister Henry's government for the multiple crises facing Haiti, saying Haitian government is led "with a political body that manages nothing and a government that leads nothing".
Following their fourth visit to the country, from Wednesday December 6 to Thursday December 14, 2023 to discuss their draft transition framework to facilitate a way out of the crisis, CARICOM's Eminent persons Group (EPG) expressed their willingness "to return to Haiti once the stakeholders have made significant progress in their informal discussions and have clearly indicated their willingness to enter the final phase of negotiations."
The draft transition framework, proposed in November 2023 by the EPG proposes setting up a transitional government to put an end to the prolonged political stalemate in Haiti. The transition should not exceed 18 months after the conclusion of the agreement.
According to the EPG, this transitional governance arrangement should make it possible to "address the security crisis, pave the way out of the political impasse and pursue a sustainable return to legitimacy, democracy and normalcy, through free, fair and inclusive elections".
Nou pap dòmi denounces a complete stranglehold by the international community, particularly the United States of America.
Vélina Charlier, a member of the Nou pap dòmi citizens' collective also spoke on TiChèzBa, pointed out the population's lack of confidence in political leaders, which has been evident from the time of Jovenel Moïse's administration to the present day.
Charlier denounced the complete stranglehold the international community, particularly the United States of America, maintains on Haiti, with its unconditional support for the current government.
According to Charlier, this situation is preventing political dialogue from progressing.
She also pointed to a lack of confidence in the much-criticized political class and in the State, a factor which is at the root of the failure of attempts to reach an agreement.
"For there to be dialogue and agreement between the Haitian players, there has to be trust. Today, however, the trust of the population and of all those trying to bring about change has been broken."
Set public action in motion against those sanctioned
Charlier urged public action against those sanctioned by the United States, Canada, and the United Nations Security Council for criminal activities such as money laundering and corruption.
Sanctions are good for the countries that impose them. Consequently, we need to conduct investigations in Haiti, and set public action in motion, Charlier added.
In regard to the economic and political elites, Charlier believes it is necessary to sanction the people who profit from the mafia-like situation in Haiti. She emphasized how ineffective and inefficient sanctions are if they so not attack those who are involved.
Speaking about sanctioning Haitian politicians and elites, Voltaire explained that "these sanctions seem to indicate that things are moving forward. But basically, there is neither the will nor the major interest to try and solve the problem". In addition, he explained that it is unclear how these sanctions are being enforced.
In a press release dated Monday, December 11, 2023, the US State Department announced sanctions against former Prime Minister (November 11, 2009 - October 18, 2011), former Minister of Planning and External Cooperation (June 9, 2006 - October 19, 2011) Jean-Max Bellerive, as well as former senators Nènel Cassy and Hervé Fourcand, for their involvement in corrupt activities that undermined the integrity of the government in Haiti.
The press release also named members of Jean-Max Bellerive's immediate family, including his spouse Myriam Estevez Bellerive and his adult daughters, Diana Jennifer Bellerive and Jessica Bellerive.
The sanctions also apply to members of Nènel Cassy's immediate family, including his wife Katherine Cassy Chéry and a child who is a minor.
In a previous press release, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced that it had sanctioned gang leaders Johnson André alias Izo, leader of the 5 segonn gang in Village de Dieu, Renel Destina alias Ti Lapli of the Gran Ravin gang, Vitel'homme Innocent of the Kraze Baryè gang and Wilson Joseph alias Lanmò san jou of the 400 Mawozo gang, for serious human rights violations.
These four gang leaders are accused of murder, kidnapping for ransom, theft, rape, looting and burning down homes, among other crimes.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted Dec. 30, 2023