Photo: Odelyn Joseph / AP file
Haiti is currently experiencing a severe crisis characterized by violence, political instability, and widespread hunger. The situation has deteriorated significantly in Port-au-Prince and across the nation, largely due to longstanding issues such as political turmoil, the impact of natural disasters, and the void left by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. This has led to a critical governance crisis, with the country’s de facto president stranded in Puerto Rico, leaving the population in dire straits amidst escalating violence and famine.
The crisis reached a new peak when Haiti’s unpopular prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced his willingness to resign upon the establishment of a transitional government, facilitated by other Caribbean countries and international entities, including the United States. This move, however, sparked controversy, as many believe that the solution to Haiti’s predicament should be driven by Haitians themselves, rather than external parties. According to residents and humanitarian workers, “What we’re seeing in Haiti has been building since the 2010 earthquake. What is happening in Haiti and why?”
Post the assassination of President Moïse in 2021, Ariel Henry took over with backing from several countries, including the U.S. However, his tenure has been marred by repeated failures to conduct elections, attributed to logistical issues and violence, leading to widespread protests. The absence of elected officials has given rise to armed groups that now control significant parts of Port-au-Prince. The United Nations estimates that these groups hold sway over at least 80% of the capital.
Violence has surged under these conditions, with a report from the U.N. in January highlighting a 122% increase in killings, kidnappings, and injuries in 2023 compared to the previous year. The situation has been particularly grim in the early months of the year, with armed factions targeting critical infrastructure, leading to thousands of deaths and displacements.
The compounded effect of political chaos and natural disasters since the 2010 earthquake has left Haiti struggling to recover. Corruption and mismanagement of reconstruction funds have exacerbated the situation, with armed groups, often linked to political parties, exploiting the turmoil for their gain. One of the most notorious groups, G-9, is led by ex-police officer Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” who has become a symbol of the unrest, advocating for an “armed revolution” against the current administration.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with over 15,000 people displaced in just a week, and a total of 160,000 leaving Port-au-Prince in recent months due to violence. The blockade of key ports by gangs has further threatened food supplies, pushing the nation towards famine.
The prospect of a foreign-mediated transitional government has met with skepticism, given Haiti’s history of foreign intervention and the desire for Haitian-led solutions. The country’s political landscape has been unstable, with no elections held for eight years, and external involvement, notably by the U.S., has been controversial.
The crisis underscores the urgent need for a resolution that respects Haitian sovereignty and addresses the deep-rooted issues facing the nation. As articulated by Chérizier according to the Associated Press, “It’s the Haitian people who know what they’re going through. It’s the Haitian people who are going to take destiny into their own hands. Haitian people will choose who will govern them.” This sentiment echoes the broader call for Haitian-led initiatives, as evidenced by the formation of the Commission to Search for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis and the proposed Montana Accord, which seeks to establish a fair and orderly path forward for the country.
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