The unprecedented set of circumstances that marked the end of ex-President Rene Preval’s reign left Haitian constitutional scholars spitting fire, talking about high treason and recommending disciplinary actions against current legislators. Many even argued that Preval left the country without a Constitution since some of the amendments voted by the National Assembly on May 9, […]
The unprecedented set of circumstances that marked the end of ex-President Rene Preval’s reign left Haitian constitutional scholars spitting fire, talking about high treason and recommending disciplinary actions against current legislators. Many even argued that Preval left the country without a Constitution since some of the amendments voted by the National Assembly on May 9, […]
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF will soon help alleviate the heavy burden of victims of rapes; sexual assaults and child trafficking that quickly spread through Haiti’s displacement camps, following the January 2010 earthquake. These two Nongovernmental organizations will deliver relief through better lit streets in the settlement camps, post traumatic counseling, preventive […]
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – “It was a constitutional coup d’état,” revolted some think tanks, “a parliamentary drive by,” they cried. Others characterized the actions of Haiti’s national assembly as “nothing short of a theatrical performance.” Still, many political observers declared the constitutional amendments “unconstitutional” and called for an annulment of the adopted articles by presidential decree. […]
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Power failure inside the Haitian parliament shortly before the inauguration did not deter President Michel Martelly from making history. In fact, the novice head of state was a fountain of smiles waving, spraying charisma to fans, reporters and dignitaries. President Martelly’s oath of office landed on the thunderous applauses of Legislators, national and […]
During the last four months, Haiti experienced violent political uprising, a shocking reemergence of an ex dictator, dubious recount of fraudulent votes and a historic debate between candidates Mirlande Manigat and Martelly ahead of their run off elections on March 20. However, none of these events generated as much excitement in Haiti as the second […]
Former first lady and presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat has written several books over her professional career, including her 2002 publication, Etre Femme in Haiti Hier et Aujourdhui that explored the evolution of women in Haitian society throughout its history. Her counterpart, Michel Martelly, spent the latter half of his 49 years writing an interesting chapter of […]
While the world revels in a plethora of technological marvels and is potentially at the dawn of another paradigm shift with social media and touch screen technologies, Some Haitians still believe cholera epidemics has a direct relationship with the malfeasance of voodoo priests. Scores of medical personnel, scholars and researchers working in Haiti were caught […]
The government of President Rene Preval and its Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) prevented many candidates, political parties from taking part in the Nov. 28 Haitian elections, including philanthropist Wyclef Jean, and popular party Fanmi Lavalas of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Ironically, his administration seems currently engaged in a desperate battle for survival, some last grand stand to keep his […]
As the ousting of Tunisian dictator Ben Ali sent shock waves and fear through the Arab world, ex-dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier stunned the Western world with his surprised return on Jan. 16, 2011, developments that left political pundits puzzling. “It’s such a critically important moment for Haiti and this guy to drop in from […]
In a political climate marred by corruption, where 13 out of 15 ministry buildings collapsed while officials worked, government response was virtually nonexistent on Jan. 12, 2010. Although world leaders pledged support and huge sums of money, Many were dubious about the promised aid ever making it to Haiti given the frail political state of […]
Even prior to the January 2010 earthquake, more than 500,000 orphan children wander the streets of Haiti’s cities day and night. Known as the “soulless” and forgotten by their own people, they do what they must to survive each day. Children of Haiti follows three teenage boys as they reflect on their country and their […]
Haitians reflect on a disastrous year Port-au-Prince, Haiti— Year 2010 was arguably the longest of Haiti’s 206-year history, reflect some historians on the plurality of unprecedented events taken place in the country starting on January 12. Some recalled with up most clarity and disbelief as global television screens bled horrific images of apocalyptic episodes seared […]
Home away from home “Welcome to the home of your ancestors,” declared Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade in October 2010, welcoming 163 young Haitians to the campuses of many leading Senegalese universities, including the School Polytechnique of Tièce, the Faculty of Agronomy of Bambay and Cheikh Anta Diop University in downtown Dakar. “Your ancestors left here by physical […]
Hear my cries, I’m hurting! Port-au-Prince, Haiti–The Nov. 28 Haitian elections helped gain real insights into the state of the country on various levels, all inside one weekend when democracy was supposed to shine and lift the country’s morale above the debris, cholera’s death grip and ineffective governance to help the battered nation paint some […]