Port-au-Prince (Haiti) – What an epic for King Ariel and his court! It almost sounds like a tragic television series, but that is the reality in Haiti.
Our esteem De facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry, taking on a myriad of roles – from President of the Republic to senator, via deputy, Minister of the Interior, and even holding the royal scepter, for lack of holders for these functions – seems to be the only master on board of this nation . Like an evasive shadow, he skillfully escapes from Haitian reality.
U.S. Department of State from United States via Wikimedia Commons
A tour with dramatic consequences
A true globetrotter, his penchant for traveling makes him appear as a regular on international escapades, a sort of air subscriber. This ardent passion for elsewhere, almost excessive, arouses the astonishment and perplexity of his compatriots. They wonder, half intrigued, half worried, if Mr. Henry, in a singular amalgam, has not confused the delicate art of governing a country with that of an epic journey around the world, apparently endless.
Imagine, since the assassination of his predecessor in 2021, Mr. Henry, promoted by a Tweet – high technology at the service of politics – has become as rare as rain in the desert. Meanwhile, Haiti, this boat without a captain, is in the middle of a storm.
Armed gangs, not missing an opportunity, seized the vacuum left in power. They even tried to conquer the international airport and the National Palace! More than 3,000 prisoners escaped from the national penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, after the attack by armed gangs. A scene worthy of an action movie, if only it wasn’t tragically real.
Et what is our Prime Minister doing in all this? ? He continues his world tour. Of South America to Africa, with no expected return date. Perhaps he got lost along the way, or is he looking for a more precise tourist guide?
Also read: Haiti: “King Ariel”, or the art of transforming an interim into a quasi-reign
Ariel Henry, by Voice of America : Wikimedia Commons
The crisis at home and repeated absences
During this time, the management of the country is left to a Minister of Finance serving as caretaker prime minister. He, at least, had the audacity to sign a decree establishing a state of emergency. A little seriousness in this chaos, finally!
And let’s talk about our de facto Minister of Justice and Public Security, Emmelie Prophet, also caught in this spiral of travel. Stranded in the Dominican Republic after a short stay in Paris, she flees to the United States – life is hard ! – and cannot return to Haiti, because the borders are closed. The Dominican Republic does not seem happy to let in fugitive Haitian politicians, perhaps for fear of an invasion of political tourists?
As for Ariel Henry’s private plane, rented by the government and at high expense of Haitian taxpayers, he had to change his trajectory after being seen refuse landing in the Dominican Republicfinally landing at San Juan, Porto Rico. This unforeseen situation is all the more exacerbated by the fact that commercial flights to Haiti are currently suspended, due to the chaotic and highly volatile situation prevailing in Port-au-Prince.
Also read: Haiti: Minister Emmelie Prophète, symbol of incompetence
Resignation under pressure and uncertainty
Emmelie Prophet, Wikimedia Commons par Dewey1
Stuckthis unexpected change of direction could well be a disguised opportunity for Ariel Henry to discover new horizons or to resign, if indeed he is not already tired of his Friends of the North, in his incessant journeys. Indeed, Ariel Henry was asked to resign by the United States and other member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as reported by the Miami Herald. However, Ariel Henry was not particularly inclined to make this decision. Eventually, he agreed to resign on March 11, 2024.
In this whirlwind of events, we almost forget the Haitian reality: a country left to its own devices, struggling with violence and chaos. But don’t worry, King Ariel and his court seem to have everything planned out, except perhaps how to manage a country in crisis.
So here is our Haitian Prime Minister, like a globetrotter on a mission, traveling from country to country, from city to city, from Guyana to Kenya, from Kenya to the United States, from the United States to the Dominican Republic, from Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, and so on… Meanwhile, the rest of the world watches absentmindedly. It seems that the international community, usually so quick to play superhero in other crises, has chosen to take a vacation when it comes to Haiti. Maybe the country is too far away for their geopolitical superpowers to work, or maybe Haiti just isn’t on their list of strategic destinations to save.
And here, let’s imagine a scene worthy of a spy film: if our famous Haitian gangs, who seem to take great pleasure in sowing chaos, were in reality left-wing guerrillas aligned with an enemy of the United States, oh my there, things would surely have taken a different turn! Helicopters, secret agents and UN resolutions would have paraded at lightning speed. But alas, it’s only Haiti, and superheroes have other fish to fry!
However, the situation in Haiti is taking an unexpected turn with the recent resignation announced by Prime Minister Ariel Henry. After navigating the troubled waters of Haitian politics since the assassination of his predecessor in 2021, Mr. Henry finally decided to throw in the towel, forcing the nation into a new chapter of uncertainty. His resignation, promised on condition of the formation of a transition council and the appointment of an interim leaderseems to open an ambiguous horizon for the political future of Haiti.
Also read: How is Haiti?
by Zachary Vessels from Pexels
The challenges of a political transition
The decision of Mr. Henry or should I say King Ariel, follows talks held in Jamaica, seeking to chart a path towards a political transition in a Haiti torn apart by violence and an armed revolt led by gangs. These discussions reveal the extent of the crisis facing the country, with armed groups strengthening their grip and openly challenging state authority.
At the same time, disturbing revelations have emerged, implicating Ariel Henry in theassassination of former president Jovenel Moïse. Informations disclosed since 2022 by CNN et le New York Times highlighted the prime minister’s alleged involvement in the crime, reinforcing accusations of corruption and raising questions about his fitness to lead a country already in crisis. These allegations, although unproven, have cast a shadow over its legitimacy.
In an unprecedented burst of generosity, our dear international benefactors have concocted a magical recipe for Haiti, a presidential council of seven members : seven presidents for one country! Imagine, seven presidential motorcades parading through the streets, each with its own cloud of dust and promises. That’s seven times more per diems to distribute, seven times more muscular bodyguards for seven times more theatrical security. And let’s talk budget! Seven budgets for the price of one, what a bargain!
All this without asking the opinion of the Haitian people, who, obviously, must be too busy to be interested in such trivialities. The respect ? But let’s see, it’s so outdated when you have wallets to manage. The motto of the great financiers is true once again: “He who pays the musicians chooses the music”. This is how we dance the waltz of democracy in international fashion. Long live the Republic !
Also read: No, I will not celebrate the 220th anniversary of Haiti’s independence
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, the most influential Haitian gang leader and former police officer / Wikicommons
The challenges for the future of Haiti
However, the security web remains more fragile than a house of cards, populated by characters such as Jimmy Cherizier, better known under the nickname of « Barbecue »a metamorphosis of a former police officer in charge of a coalition of criminals called “ the G9 family and allies “. These individuals, already under the fire of UN sanctions, continue to wave the swords of Damocles over the heads of the government and the population. They threaten civil war and genocide if the next leader is chosen by the international community, not them.
Their choice is Guy Philippe to president of Haiti, a controversial figure, former Haitian police officer and ex-detainee for drug trafficking in the United States. He was also the leader of the 2004 coup against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Philippe promisesamnesty to all armed gangsthus transforming Haiti into a veritable playground for criminals.
The message from the Barbecue gang leader is as clear as a cloudless sky: “Either Haiti becomes a paradise for all of us, or [elle devient] hell for all of us. » A proposal that no one wants to accept, but which hangs like a black cloud in the corrupt atmosphere of Haitian politics. The toll is heavy in terms of deaths, forced displacement and violence, highlighting the immense challenge that the future leader of Haiti will have to face. In this context, the urgency of effective and honest governance has never been more pressing.
Faced with this impasse, Haiti could take inspiration from countries that have overcome similar crises. Nations like Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide, put in place national reconciliation and inclusive economic development programs. Likewise, Colombia, after decades of armed conflict, chose the path of dialogue and agreement to achieve peace. These examples demonstrate that even in the most desperate situations, there are lasting and original solutions that can transform a nation torn by violence into a place of prosperity and peace. Haiti needs not only courageous leaders, but also innovative vision and an unwavering commitment to justice and reconciliation to chart a path to a better future.