Haiti Report, July 13, 2024
A compilation of news about Haiti from the past week.
Multinational Security Support Mission
Foreign governments are being urged to make good on pledges to fund the armed Kenya-led security force in Haiti, where criminal armed groups continue spread misery and despair while controlling more than 80% of the capital. “We call on all international partners to do more and give more,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations during a Security Council meeting Wednesday. “The Haitian people deserve, at long last, to live in peace — to go to work, school, or a house of worship without the threat of violence.” In all, Kenya has volunteered to deploy 1,000 of its specialized police officers to lead what is known as the Multinational Security Support mission. Six other mostly Caribbean and African nations are also supposed to send personnel. But the mission’s success and the size of its force very much depend on the contributions of the international community, which pledged $118 million in support but has so far only deposited $21 million in a United Nations trust fund. The United States is by far the largest contributor, providing more than $309 million for equipment, training and construction of a base in Port-au-Prince.
The Kenyans, better armed and equipped than Haitian police, have joined their hosts on street patrols. The gangs, who warned they would resist the deployment, appear unperturbed. They’re still setting homes ablaze, attacking police stations and killing with impunity. Now, less than three weeks after the first officers arrived, frustration is growing. Haitians say the deployment has had no discernible effect on security. Police officers say they haven’t been looped into a plan to restore order. Normil Rameau, the new head of the Haitian National Police, told reporters this week that he’s met with his Kenyan counterparts several times for “evaluation and planning.” “There is neither a set day nor time for operations,” Rameau said. “The population may wake up one day to find that operations have taken place and bandits have been stopped or neutralized. For strategic reasons, we cannot reveal how this will happen.”
A Kenyan police officer here said the force is waiting for more equipment to arrive before beginning operations. He did not know when that would be. “We’re ready,” said the officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. “We have more training than the gangs. We have the capacity to kick them out. We’re going to attack the gangs where they are hidden.” The mission could grow to roughly 2,500 members. Several countries from the Caribbean, Africa and Asia have pledged personnel, but it is unclear when they will send them to Haiti. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/11/haiti-kenya-un-security-mission/
Haiti’s New Police Director Confident About Restoring Security
Rameau Normil, who led the Haitian National Police from August 2019 to November 2020, gives the impression of being back on familiar ground for his second tenure amidst a severe security crisis. This was evident in his first press briefing held on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the conference hall of the PNH headquarters in Clercine. His initial address since assuming office was framed within the context of the forthcoming deployment of the Multinational Mission to Support Security in Haiti.
"The reason for this press briefing is to present to the Haitian nation the various plans to achieve our ultimate goal, which is the dismantling of gangs. My presence here, alongside the Kenyan general, underscores our determination and leadership as law enforcement to convey to the criminal assassins who think they can continue terrorizing the population that their free reign is over," declared Rameau Normil, Director General of the PNH.
Addressing the urgency of tackling insecurity, the new PNH chief acknowledged, "We have already conducted meetings with the Kenyan force with the objective of providing appropriate responses within the operational trilogy standard, to effectively and efficiently address the issue of insecurity.” For those wondering about actions taken since Rameau Normil's return to lead the PNH on June 21, he attempted to provide some insights to the press. "We were in an evaluation and planning phase to neutralize the criminals and render them incapable of causing harm. For strategic reasons, we won't delve into specifics," Normil asserted."There's no set day or date for police operations. One morning, the population will wake up to news of criminals being apprehended by the police during operations. For strategic reasons, we won't disclose operational details," the police chief emphasized.
"I assure you that in the days to come, the institution's spokesperson will present the outcomes of our operations," Normil announced. "Have confidence. Under my command, with the support of MSSM, you will be able to move freely throughout the entire national territory. The era of lost territories must come to an end. I guarantee that every corner of the country will be reclaimed," Rameau Normil stressed. Normil acknowledged the challenges on the ground but pledged to restore security. "There are approximately seven communes in the country without police presence for two years. I want the country, the diaspora, and the international community to know that I have taken steps to allow all police officers to return to their posts, just as we spare no effort to enable internally displaced persons to return home," promised the PNH Director General.Normil expressed satisfaction with the task force that helped recover heavy equipment used by gangs to demolish the Gressier police station building. "The specialized BOID unit's post was reinforced. Under my command, the PNH regained control of the State University Hospital on the evening of Sunday, July 7," he recounted. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249021/rameau-normils-message-to-gangs-playtime-is-over
Struggle for Control of Port-au-Prince’s General Hospital
Haiti’s newly selected Prime Minister Garry Conille and Haiti’s police chief visited the country’s largest hospital on Tuesday, after authorities said they took control of the medical institution over the weekend from armed gangs. Haitian Police Chief Normil Rameau told a news conference Monday that police took control of the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, known as the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, on Sunday night after months of escalating attacks from armed groups.
The green and white-colored hospital was left ravaged by gangs, with beds stripped of their cots and ceiling fans on the floor. The building’s interior was left with debris and lighting fixtures among the hospital’s cubicles. Hospital walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs in the neighborhood. The hospital is just across the street from the national palace, which was the scene of several battles in the last five months. Conille said the building looked like “a war zone.” Council member Louis Gérald Gilles was also present on Tuesday’s visit, and announced the hospital should be in full service by February 2026. Conille said the hospital served about 1,500 people a day before the gang’s chokehold. “This hospital is not for the rich, it’s for the poor,” Conille said on Tuesday. “These are people that need serious help that can’t go see a private doctor.” https://apnews.com/article/haiti-hospital-gang-violence-kenyan-forces-30a26a849d90f7c32be9c1f888ab89c0
Two days after Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille toured the site of the country's largest public medical facility, the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, or the General Hospital as it is commonly called, the facility remains abandoned. A visit to the area on Thursday, July 11, 2024, didn't reveal any gang activities but no visible police presence except for one armored vehicle doing patrols. But while the four-month siege by armed gangs has turned downtown Port-au-Prince into a war zone, the former controversial head of Haiti's solid waste management agency, Magalie Habitant, has launched a clean-up initiative. Once accused of gang ties, she insists, hers is a private initiative aimed at returning life to downtown. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article289985494.html#storylink=cpy
Violence Continues in the Metro Port-au-Prince Area
Armed bandits shot dead 3 people, including two police officers, in Carrefour (southern outskirts of PAP), on the afternoon of July 4, reports the police union @Synapoha on its X account. A new gang offensive seems to be underway for one week south of the capital. https://x.com/AlterPresse/status/1809047888883814414
In Gressier, “the situation has worsened since the attack on Sunday, June 30. The criminals took control of 75% of the town of Gressier. Around 23,000 people had to flee to Colline 3, 4, to customs offices, in Brâche, and to Léogâne. Among these displaced persons are those from Merger and all those who had settled in Gressier after fleeing Mariani," Mayor Jean Vladimir Bertrand confided to Le Nouvelliste on Monday, July 8, 2024. "The criminals, numerous and mobile, did not only consolidate their positions but are expanding," he continued with a mix of dismay and helplessness in his voice. "They vacated the police station premises and established themselves about a mile and a half away, in Santo," the mayor informed, confirming the burning of the Civil Protection office in Gressier.
According to Bertrand, the thirty SWAT police officers and three armored vehicles mobilized are insufficient. Most of the time, they retreat to Léogâne. He mentioned that UTAG police officers were recalled to Port-au-Prince, emphasizing that goods cannot circulate through Gressier to or from the southern region. Méhu Changeux, head of the Association of Owners and Drivers of Haiti (APCH), highlighted the ordeal of transporters over the past three years on national roads and drew attention to the impact of the situation in Gressier, which has deteriorated since the murder of driver Jean Francin. He mentioned an unsuccessful attempt by truck drivers to pass through Gressier. "There is no passage. We observe that the bandits are becoming increasingly violent," Méhu Changeux continued, urging authorities to act. "We call on the government to take action. We want more action and fewer speeches in French," said the union leader. "Transporters can't take it anymore. We demand the unblocking of national roads," he added.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Les Palmes, alongside Gressier, a replay of massive attacks, police station fires, public building and home burnings, assassinations, theft of property, and police responses, often falling short of the force deployed by criminals, has unfolded. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249017/gangs-control-75-of-gressier
While the Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Rameau Normil, declared on Monday, July 8, 2024, during a press conference at the PNH headquarters in Clercine that "the recess is over," photos circulated on social media in the afternoon showing the main road in Croix-des-Bouquets barricaded with containers. The photos circulating on social media are authentic, confirmed a source close to the Croix-des-Bouquets city hall contacted by the newspaper. "The criminals have placed and welded containers on National Road #8, forcing drivers who want to reach the town center to take Grande Plaine Street, commonly known as Nan Rakèt, which they fully control," the source indicated. The authorities are powerless against the increasing crimes committed by the bandits who reign supreme in the commune.
Prior to this action, bandits led by Wilson Joseph, alias "Lanmò san jou," a member of the criminal coalition "Viv Ansanm," attempted to build a wall on the public road near Lycée Jacques 1er on Tuesday, June 25, aiming to cut off all road communication between Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre, according to a reliable source. PNH officers were dispatched to chase away the bandits. Despite the increasing actions of the bandits, all activities in the town center continue as if everything were normal, according to a resident of the commune. This resident reports that the bandits are undertaking renovation work on the public square and in the cemetery of the commune. The square is being repainted, and new lights are being installed.
After the attack on the sub-station and the main police station, the bandits systematically vandalized and set fire to the main state and private institutions in the commune. The latest incident was on the night of June 26-27, when they set fire to the city hall. Currently, the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets remains out of state control. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249050/croix-des-bouquets-400-mawozo-gang-strongly-barricades-national-road-8
UN Security Council Renews Mandate of BINUH Mission in Haiti
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until 15 July 2025, requesting all Haitian stakeholders to urgently establish a Provisional Electoral Council and reach an agreement on a sustainable, time-bound and commonly accepted road map for elections. Unanimously adopting resolution 2743 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2743(2024)), the Council reiterated the need for all Haitian stakeholders to continue to advance a Haitian-led and -owned political process towards the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and the engagement of youth and civil society. It asked the Government of Haiti to update the Council on the road map for election within 90 days.
By its other terms, the text called on BINUH to develop a strategy on how it will support a Haitian-led and -owned political process and requested the mission to update the Council on this strategy and its implementation in its quarterly reports. The resolution further reiterated that BINUH's Police and Corrections Unit shall continue to comprise up to 70 civilian and seconded personnel to serve as police and corrections advisers and encouraged the mission to continue to implement other tasks under its mandate, including advisory support to the Haitian National Police, training on anti-gang tactics, human rights compliance and reporting, community engagement strategies, border and ports management, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of gang members.
The Council also demanded cooperation between Member States to prevent illicit arms trafficking and diversion by inspecting cargo to Haiti and providing and exchanging timely information to identify and combat illicit trafficking sources and supply chains. Moreover, the text requested BINUH to cooperate with the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) and its Panel of Experts to facilitate the Panel’s work; and with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other relevant UN agencies to support Haitian authorities in combating illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and illicit financial flows. It also requested the mission to provide available information on cases of gang violence, criminal activities and human rights abuses and violations — including sexual and gender-based violence — in Haiti as an annex to the Secretary-General’s report. Following the adoption, numerous Council members underscored that BINUH’s work is necessary to support the Haitian Government in strengthening political stability, security, good governance and the rule of law in the country. https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15763.doc.htm
US Accuses Fellow Members of Security Council of Blocking Sanctions
The Biden administration’s top diplomat to the United Nations accused fellow members of the Security Council on Friday of blocking U.S. efforts to impose sanctions against a former senator and head of the Haitian Senate who is accused of financing armed gangs. The politician, former Senate president Youri Latortue, “exerts considerable control over political and economic life in the Artibonite department including through the use of violent gangs, which he has been financing and arming,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. , citing a report from a Haiti panel of experts.
The panel was put in place by the U.N. in October 2022 after the Security Council unanimously approved sanctions for Haiti, the first authorization since 2017, and the first for a country in the Western Hemisphere. The panel’s job is to make recommendations, based on its investigations, on people who should be sanctioned because they pose a threat to Haiti’s peace and stability. U.N. sanctions are among the most stringent of punishments, and would freeze a person’s assets while barring them from traveling to most countries around the world.
So far, the U.N. has imposed sanctions on just five gang leaders, which has led to criticism about the effectiveness of the measure because the gang chiefs usually do not keep their money in banks and do not have visas to travel to other countries. The U.S., along with France have pushed for the inclusion of both gang leaders and politicians on the list, which the expert panel has proposed. “We were deeply disappointed by the unexplained hold placed on Youri Latortue,” Thomas-Greenfield said about the prominent Haitian politician. “We urge the hold to be lifted expediently.” https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article290002404.html#storylink=cpy
The US Considers Cooperation with Haitian Armed Forces
Security: For the first time since 1994, the United States discusses the role of the Haitian Armed Forces
This is the first time since the demobilization of the Haitian Armed Forces in 1994 that the United States has raised the possibility of cooperation with the military. During a meeting on Wednesday, July 3, with the Haitian Minister of Defense, the American ambassador in Port-au-Prince discussed the role of the FAD'H in restoring security in the country. Training of the Haitian military was also discussed during another meeting between the minister and the Taiwanese ambassador.
“On July 3, Ambassador Hankins met with the new Minister of Defense, Jean Marc Berthier Antoine. Together, they discussed the transitional government’s vision for security and the role of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H) in restoring security to the country. The United States remains committed to supporting a more secure and stable future for all Haitians,” according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti on its X account. https://lenouvelliste.com/article/248970/securite-pour-la-premiere-fois-depuis-1994-les-etats-unis-evoquent-le-role-des-forces-armees-dhaiti
Positive Developments at Ministry of Agriculture on Efforts to Restart Mango Exports to US and Resilient Productive Landscape Programs with World Bank
The U.S. Ambassador, Dennis Hankins, and the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development, Vernet Joseph, agreed to accelerate efforts to restart mango exports to the USA, according to a post on the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. "On July 8, the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development met to discuss economic growth and agricultural development. Ambassador Hankins discussed with Minister Vernet Joseph ways to align the goals of the United States and Haiti. They both agreed to expedite efforts to restart mango exports to the United States! @USAID_Haiti #HaitiMangos," the embassy stated.
The export of Francisque mangos represents an annual revenue of between 10 and 15 million dollars, benefiting around half a million people involved at various levels of the supply chain. Mango exports to the USA were halted because export certification became nearly impossible due to the inability of U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors to travel within the country. For more than two years, gangs have controlled the main national roads. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249069/reviving-mango-exports-to-the-usa
Tuesday July 2nd, 2024, Vernet Joseph, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development spoke by videoconference, with those responsible for the World Bank, of the "Resilient Agriculture and Food Security Program" (PARSA) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36204-haiti-world-bank-donation-of-us$132-million-for-haitian-agriculture.html and the “Resilient Productive Landscapes Program (TPR) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32144-haiti-agriculture-success-of-the-1st-phase-of-the-resilient-productive-territories-project.html These two projects, financed by the World Bank to the tune of 200 million US dollars, are taking place in 5 departments: Grand-Anse, South, Nippes, Center and North-West. While the closing date of PARSA is set for February 26, 2027, TPR activities will end on November 30, 2024. Should be noted that a process for formulating a new TPR project (TPR II) in the Nippes department is already underway. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42701-haiti-agriculture-minister-joseph-finds-an-agreement-with-the-world-bank.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
New Developments in Moise’s Assassination Case
In the international plot to kill Haiti’s president, his political rivals enlisted a Miami-area security firm to hire a squad of ex-Colombian soldiers to carry out the assassination and replace him with a hand-picked successor, according to federal authorities. But in the days leading up to President Jovenel Moïse’s July 7, 2021 assassination, his plotters realized they were missing the support of a critical constituency: Haitian gangs, court records show.
The political rivals met with several gang leaders and asked for their support in the run-up to the assassination of the president at his suburban home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, according to a document filed in an unrelated federal weapons-smuggling case. One of the rivals suspected of being present was an ex-senator who aspired to be the country’s next prime minister but who would later admit to making contact with gang members as part of his guilty plea in Miami federal court to conspiring to kill Moïse. One of the gang leaders present would later become one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives with a $2 million award for information leading to his arrest in connection with the kidnapping of 17 missionaries, all but one of them U.S. citizens, court records show.
The records reveal for the first time that Moïse’s political rivals met with a handful of gang leaders to solicit their help in the deadly assault plan on Haiti’s president three years ago. But in the end, the support of key members of Haiti’s ruthless armed gangs didn’t really materialize in the shocking slaying of Haiti’s leader. Moïse’s death did create a power vacuum that allowed hundreds of gangs to terrorize Haitians in one of the nation’s most violent and destabilizing periods. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article289802109.html#storylink=cpy
Haitian American Congresswoman Awaits Plans from PM Conille
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), the lone Haitian American representative in Washington, said Haiti’s new transitional government appears to be promising and, like other U.S. legislators, is waiting for detailed plans from Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille to support creating a credible pathway toward security and sociopolitical and economic stability. During an interview with The Haitian Times days after she met with Conille, the Florida Democrat also said she hoped a meaningful show of force against the gang violence would “incentivize Haitian people to start participating” in the transition toward a stable democracy and draw people back to the country.
“I thank Prime Minister Conille for sharing insight into the government of Haiti’s plans and for outlining how the U.S. can assist in rebuilding institutions needed to create the enabling environment for a stable and prosperous society,” Cherfilus-McCormick said over a Zoom interview. “For the support requested, we will need the specifics of a detailed plan from him sooner or later.”
Cherfilus-McCormick is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Haiti Caucus. She and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) met with Conille on July 2. The discussions focused on combating gang-fueled insecurity, increasing economic support to Haiti, and encouraging greater participation from Haitians, both in Haiti and the Diaspora, in Haiti’s future, Cherfilus-McCormick said. They specifically spoke about the U.S. providing support for elections, assisting with the Multinational Security and Support (MSS) Mission and reauthorizing the HOPE and HELP trade programs favoring investment in Haiti. “We also addressed the necessity for a plan that should include concrete actions for demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) of gang members, particularly young people who were forced to join these criminal groups,” Cherfilus-McCormick added. https://haitiantimes.com/2024/07/08/haiti-conille-meets-with-us-lawmakers/
Human Rights Group Calls for New National Commission for Disarmament
The organization Combite for Peace and Development (CPD) believes that the Transitional Presidential Council should activate a new National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (CNDDR). Speaking on Magik 9 on Friday, July 5, 2024, human rights activist Fritznel Pierre asserted that this new commission should address the challenges posed by criminal groups occupying a significant portion of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
"We have published a document to draw the attention of the Transitional Presidential Council to the necessity of activating a new commission for dismantling and reintegration, as a response to the current urgency," he stated. Mr. Pierre believes that the current CNDDR, established since March 8, 2019, has failed in its mission and advocates for the formation of a new structure that should employ methods similar to those that yielded results in 2006 under the Préval administration. "It's a glaring failure. We have a number of territories now under full control of gangs. The CNDDR is unable today to report on the quantity of recovered weapons or the number of dismantled armed groups," he said, arguing that the number of neighborhoods controlled by armed groups has markedly increased from 2019 to 2024.
According to Fritznel Pierre, "We need a commission that takes into account the number of internally displaced persons, the relationships of gangs with other criminal groups in the region, and the high level of poverty that must be addressed in a process of societal reconciliation. CPD recommends the reform and activation of a new National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration with logistical and financial means, and a well-structured roadmap that considers various aspects, including community social engineering, economic upliftment of violence-prone neighborhoods, dismantling of gangs, and the care and reintegration of children who have joined armed bands," according to Mr. Pierre. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249028/advocating-for-a-new-national-disarmament-demobilization-and-reintegration-commission
Human Rights Organizations Say No Amnesty for Members of Armed Groups
At a press conference this Thursday, Pierre Espérance, executive director of the RNDDH, said he was prescribing "zero tolerance" towards armed gangs on the national territory. "Their place should be in prison or in the cemetery. They are terrorists who have already made the population suffer enough. We do not agree that there should be negotiations with them," reacted the human rights defender while he met the press to reveal the contents of an open letter to the head of government, Garry Conille. Among the fundamental points of the said letter is the question of amnesty for gangs.
"The country is no longer at the stage of leniency towards armed bandits. After years of suffering, the focus cannot be on the armed bandits who themselves caused this suffering. In no way can the responsibility of the intellectual and material authors of the crimes committed be dismissed," warned the signatories of the open letter sent to Prime Minister Conille, who had called on the armed bandits to lay down their arms if they want to dialogue.
As for the minors who were recruited by the armed gangs and involved in the commission of the aforementioned crimes, the organizations that signed the open letter take the opportunity to remind the tenant of the Prime Minister's office that the legislator had already considered the protection of minors in conflict with the law. "Thus, in an approach that respects the judicial guarantees of all parties involved, court decisions will take into account the degree of involvement of all members of the armed gangs in the commission of the criminal acts and the resulting punishments will be all the fairer," added the signatories of the said letter.
The open letter was signed by the Cercle de réflexions (CR), the National Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (CE-JILAP), Nègès Mawon, the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH) and the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH). For these organizations, five points are considered crucial to be addressed with munity by the Garry Conille government for the restoration of peace and security in the country and the return to constitutional order. These are "justice and reparation for crimes committed against the population, no amnesty in favor of armed bandits, no violation of human rights perpetrated by MMAS agents will be accepted, the repression of corruption and all financial crimes and the organization of inclusive and democratic elections after the restoration of peace and security. https://lenouvelliste.com/article/249087/la-prison-ou-le-cimetiere-pour-les-gangs-prescrivent-cinq-organisations-de-la-societe-civile
Efforts Underway to Clean Canals in Cite Soleil During Hurricane Season
The cleaning work of the Western Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of Public Works has intensified in the town of Cité Soleil since the start of the hurricane season (June 1st), particularly in the Brooklyn and Boston neighborhoods. Several canals where tons of rubbish accumulated, obstructing water flow, are being gradually cleaned. For this week, residents of the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Soleil 22, Soleil 24 and Boston welcome the cleaning operations carried out in the Lupp canals (3 bb), Chancerelles, Soleil 4 canal etc. These achievements come as a real relief to residents exposed to the spread of disease vectors. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-42740-icihaiti-cite-soleil-the-cleaning-work-has-intensified.html
Changes in Leadership in Private Sector Organizations
June was a month of changes at the helm of several business associations in the country, including the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the West (CCIO), which elected new members to their respective boards of directors. Thus, since June 26, 2024, following elections held after a general assembly, a new board of directors has been in place at the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH).
According to a statement from the association dated June 27 and signed by the Executive Director, Ms. Sophia Joseph Riboul, the new ADIH board includes Mr. Maulik Radia as President; John Batroni (national production), David Coles (agro-industry), Nathalie Hermantin (textiles) as Vice Presidents; Mikaelle William as Treasurer; Stéphan Déjoie as Secretary; with advisors Tom Adamson, Carine Bellefleur, Georges Cassis, Laila Durban, Ralph Edmond, Maude Louis Jean, Christian Mathon, Christopher Rodriguez, Stephan St-Rémy, Alexandre Vital et Wilhelm Lemke.
On its part, the CCIO, in a note published on June 28, informed the public about the formation of a new board of directors elected on June 27 during its latest General Assembly. According to the executive management of the CCIO, the new board comprises Ms. Martine Laroche Cuvilly as President; Mr. Jean Philippe Baussan as 1st Vice President; Mr. Jean Luc Auguste as 2nd Vice President; Mr. Michael Paul as Secretary General; Mr. Ralph Edmond as Assistant Secretary General; Mr. Manuel Ewald as Treasurer; and Mr. Jean Max Chauvet as Assistant Treasurer.
Haiti’s Customs Revenue Exceeded Projections in June
The General Administration of Customs of Haiti (AGD) announced that it has exceeded its revenue projections for June 2024, collecting a total of 9.1 billion gourdes. This amount represents 115% of the revenue forecasted, which was 7.9 billion gourdes for the month. “These collected amounts demonstrate the resilience and efficiency of the Haitian customs administration, even in a challenging security environment," according to AGD officials.
The results for June 2024 stand out, particularly compared to May 2024 figures. In that month, AGD collected 8.3 billion gourdes, which was 82% of the set forecast of 10.2 billion gourdes. "Although revenues did not meet the projections, they still show a strong performance by the customs administration, maintaining high levels of collection," rejoiced customs authorities, providing details on the variation in monthly revenue targets. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/249034/haitian-customs-exceeds-revenue-targets-in-june-2024
ANALYSIS
Give Peace a Chance in Haiti, Jake Johnston, Center for Economic and Policy Research
Still, the violence today stems from a broken social contract, from the absence of the state, and from the disenfranchisement of the impoverished majority in a country with the worst inequality in the region. This reality has been perpetuated by the armed groups’ bombastic leaders, by the graying political and economic elite in their suits and ties, and even by the men and women in uniform tasked with protecting the population — not to mention the omnipresent international community, most specifically the United States. The lines between each group fade upon closer inspection, forming a solid mass of repression surrounding those most harmed by the status quo.
In early April, all the sectors represented in the presidential council signed a political accord outlining their shared priorities in this transitional period. Among the initiatives is a national dialogue to bring all sectors of life together, as well as the formation of a truth, justice, and reparations committee. These are not ideas to put on the back burner to be picked up after a foreign military intervention provides security; rather, they are an essential part of any lasting security strategy, which must address all forms of insecurity, including those affecting livelihoods, food, water, health, and education.
https://cepr.net/give-peace-a-chance-in-haiti/
Why Kenya’s deployment won’t solve all of Haiti’s problems, Sophie Rutenbar, Brookings
After a somewhat rocky start for the transitional council and transitional government, the situation has quieted in recent days in Port-au-Prince. New governments in Haiti are often given a window of relative calm at the beginning of their terms, but it’s unclear how much of this lull is a result of Haitian society pausing to take stock of the new government, and how much of it is the gangs retrenching, watching, and preparing for potential anti-gang action. The course of action the gangs choose will likely depend on the transitional government’s ability to establish and sustain the Haitian population’s support.
The crucial test will be whether the transitional council and government can maintain Haitian support beyond the short term. There is reason for optimism—at least some small measure of it. The transitional presidential council has been greeted with cautious support from various players in Haitian society. The council has managed to make initial compromises, including on its rules of order. And it is not insignificant that the members of the transitional council have come together to share power, putting together representatives of political groupings that have been at frequent odds over the last three years. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-kenyas-deployment-wont-solve-all-of-haitis-problems/?b=1