HAITI NEWS
HAITI NEWS
January 18, 2023
BECKY SULLIVAN, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
As Its Only Remaining Elected Officials Depart, Haiti Reaches a Breaking Point
Haiti, a country long beset by catastrophe and political turmoil, is facing perhaps its steepest challenge in recent decades as its piecemeal government, now lacking any democratically elected officials, struggles to chart a path forward amid gang violence and a cholera outbreak.
The constitutional mandate of Haiti's de facto ruler, Prime Minister Ariel Henry — which some viewed as questionable from the start, as he was never technically sworn in — ended more than a year ago.
The country has had no president since its last one, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021. Its Senate is supposed to have 30 members, and its lower legislative chamber should have 119; all of those seats are unfilled. Haiti's elected mayors were all reappointed or replaced in 2020.
And last week, its 10 remaining senators departed office after their terms ended, leaving behind a nation's worth of elected offices that now sit empty after years of canceled elections.
"The situation is catastrophic," said Robert Fatton, a Haitian-born political scientist at the University of Virginia. "It would not be an exaggeration to say that the current crisis is one of the most severe crises that Haiti has ever confronted."
October 25, 2022
National Public Radio, WAMU 1A
33 Minute Audio News Story
Investigating Haiti’s ‘Double Debt’
For a new five-part investigation, a team of New York Times journalists tabulated the amount that Haitians had to pay France for their freedom and explored how the massive sum still affects Haiti today.
The Root of Haiti’s Misery: In 1791, enslaved Haitians ousted the French and founded a nation. But their freedom came at a price. Read in Creole or French.
A Staggering Debt: After Haiti’s independence, the French demanded reparations. Their request helped cement the country’s path to poverty. Read in Creole or French.
Crédit Industriel: A Parisian bank was central to Haiti’s financial exploitation, siphoning tens of millions of dollars out of the country. Read in Creole or French.
American Gains: In the 20th century, Haiti fell under U.S. control. Wall Street’s financial interests played a role in the occupation. Read in Creole or French.
Demanding Justice: In 2003, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haiti’s president, began calling for reparations from France. It was part of his undoing. Read in French.
6 Takeaways: This Times investigation saw reporters scouring documents in archives and libraries on three continents. Here are the key findings. Read in French or Spanish.
Bibliography: The project drew on original documents, as well as the work of historians and researchers. Here is the list of sources.
May 22, 2022
NEW YORK TIMES
By CATHERINE PORTER, CONSTANT MéHEUT, MATT APUZZO and SELAM GEBREKIDAN
Published May 20, 2022
Updated Nov. 16, 2022
What’s Happening in Haiti?
This is an audio story from NPR’s 1A program on October 25, 2022.
Haiti is in crisis.
Violent gangs have grown in number and power over the last few years and have recently been blocking humanitarian aid and the country’s main fuel terminal.
Hospitals have closed their doors or reduced capacity amid a cholera outbreak. And the prices of basic goods like food and gas have skyrocketed. And at least half the country is facing acute hunger.
Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry has requested international aid and special forces, but many Haitians oppose foreign intervention.
Haiti is at a standstill. So how does the country move forward?
