The interaction between political leaders, criminal gangs, and leaders of voudou religious groups is not new in Haiti as was seen by the paramilitary killers "Les Tontons Macoutes" during the presidency of Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) and Jean-Claude Devalier (Baby Doc) in the 1960s and 1970s. However, today, the breakdown of civil order is such that the future of the country is at stake.
The Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned and is outside the country. There is a proposal to create a seven-member committee to administer the country until elections can be held. There have not been elections since 2016. However, even with elections in the past, political administrators have not been able to develop the needed economic and social structures.
Currently, criminal gangs control (or at least are strong) in 80 percent of the capital city Port-au-Prince, and disorder and violence are wide spread. The rural areas are economically stagnant and often disorganized. Many people try to leave the country, especially for the neighboring Dominican Republic.
There are proposals to bring in under a United Nations mandate a police force of some 2000 people from Kenya and some administrators from other countries. There was an earlier U.N.-led stabilization mission from 2004 -2017 which had little positive impact. Police are rarely trained to promote economic and social development.
There are some active Haitian non-governmental organizations which do good work especially in the rural areas when there is stability. However, most of the economic life of the country is focused on Port-au Prince, and until there is some stability without gang control, little can be done.
Haiti is a country to watch closely to see what positive economic and social structures can be put into place.
René Wadlow, Association of World Citizens
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