Haiti, What a Mess...
Haiti's in a bad way, and it's not getting better. The gangs run the show now, and the politicians are too busy squabbling to do anything about it. Over 50,000 people fled the capital in just three weeks, and that's not counting the ones who couldn't get out. It's a mess, and it's been a mess for a long time.
The U.N. Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, says the scale of human rights abuse is "unprecedented in modern Haitian history." Killings, kidnappings, sexual violence—it's all happening, and the state is nowhere to be found. The conflict has also blocked off transport of key goods and humanitarian aid into the capital, so even if you're not caught in the crossfire, you're still screwed.
Most of the people who left Port-au-Prince are heading towards the southern peninsula, which is still trying to pick up the pieces from the 2021 earthquake. And with nearby countries tightening their borders, there's nowhere else to go. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti, has boosted border security and deported tens of thousands back across the border. It's a dead end.
The gangs are calling the shots now, declaring "war" on the de jure, but no longer de facto, government. The prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced his resignation on March 11 while stranded in the U.S., but three weeks later, there's still no replacement. The regional leaders in Jamaica put forward a plan for a transitional presidential council, but infighting, threats, and resignations have stalled the process.
Some are calling for a different approach, one that's laid out in the constitution. They want a judge from Haiti's Supreme Court to step in as provisional president and appoint a prime minister to form a government. But opponents say it's just a maneuver by Henry's allies, since most of the court's judges were appointed by him a year ago.
Haiti's de facto government says they're working towards a peaceful transition of power to the presidential council "as fast as possible," but who knows what that means in a place like this.
So, what's the way forward for Haiti? It's not going to be easy, and it's not going to be quick. The international community needs to step up, but not in the way it has before. Throwing money at the problem or sending in troops isn't going to cut it. They need to listen to the Haitian people, work with the locals on the ground, and invest in long-term solutions.
Security is the first step. The gangs need to be dealt with, and the national police force and judiciary system need to be strengthened. But that's just the beginning. Haiti needs investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. They need opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, especially for the youth. They need a government that works for them, not against them.
And the international community needs to take a hard look at its own role in Haiti's instability. Colonialism, foreign intervention, and structural inequalities have all played a part in getting Haiti to where it is today. It's not enough to just manage the crisis; they need to address the root causes.
It's a tall order, but it's not impossible. Haiti has been through a lot, and its people are resilient. With the right support and the right approach, they can build a better future. But it's going to take more than just words and promises. It's going to take action, and it's going to take time. The question is, are we willing to put in the work?