Haiti has descended into chaos since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The government has lost legitimacy, and gangs now rule much of the country. The country’s political elites seem stuck in a debate about the best path to hold new elections and restore the legitimacy of the government. In October 2022, President Ariel Henry requested support from the international community to help local police forces restore order, but the international community has reacted cautiously to this request.
Haiti’s Turmoil and a Path to Stability
Rennhack provided a general overview of Haiti’s state of affairs, highlighting how President Moïse’s assassination in 2021 left the nation grappling with political uncertainty and rampant gang rule. Despite calls for international assistance, Rennhack argued that the international community is not taking on a more active role given concerns about the current government's legitimacy and past intervention failures. While these are valid concerns, he argued that Haiti’s crisis could have substantial regional implications, which should prompt greater engagement from the international community.
Rennhack delved into the nation’s historical trajectory to explain how the country got to this point. Facing political instability and weak institutions since gaining independence in 1804, Haiti has also faced autocratic leadership and external interference, all which have perpetuated economic fragility, weak institutions, and exacerbated social unrest. Yet, amidst these challenges, Rennhack argued that lessons from other fragile states can outline a pathway to resilience and stability for Haiti.
“Political settlement is a precondition to allow a country to embark in a path of economic, social, and political recovery.” - Robert Rennhack
Rennhack believes the positive experiences Rwanda and Sierra Leone have had in reducing their fragility and building resilience can inspire Haiti’s course toward recovery. In his opinion, the keys for this long and arduous process include prioritizing political stability, fostering economic growth, strengthening institutions, and promoting social inclusion.
From Token Gestures to Action
Ambassador Page noted that the conversation on Haiti has not changed over the last few years. She highlighted how the historical conditions of Haiti’s independence had enduring repercussions that shape the nation’s social, political, and economic landscape today. Page also questioned whether the U.S. government’s support of President Ariel Henry throughout the ongoing crisis qualifies as true commitment to meaningful democratic processes.
“Simply holding elections does not make a country democratic.” - Susan Page
While the promise of upcoming elections looms, Page was skeptical of their democratic legitimacy. She argued that democratization demands a concerted effort to address root causes of the current crisis, including insecurity fueled by arms trafficking and porous borders. While solutions exist, they require genuine political will both inside Haiti and among the international community.
To pave the way for sustainable solutions, Page argued that international accountability must be prioritized. Leveraging mechanisms like the Global Magnitsky Act can allow the United States to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable, fostering a culture of transparency and ethical engagement. Ultimately, Page was convinced that meaningful change in Haiti requires a departure from token gestures towards sustained, principled action in support of democratic governance and long-term stability.
Culture and Agency to Achieve Growth
Celestin believes that navigating Haiti's economic recovery demands a nuanced understanding of the interplay between culture, local agency, and international intervention. For him, acknowledging cultural dynamics should be a priority, as historical events have shaped Haiti's sociopolitical and economic landscape. He recognized that Haitians are skeptical towards centralized authority, which underscores the need for grassroots engagement and community-driven initiatives to rebuild trust and foster inclusive development.
Celestin argued that moving beyond normative development models is necessary to achieve Haiti's economic revitalization. Imposing external frameworks without accounting for local contexts risks exacerbating resistance and hindering progress. Instead, collaborative efforts that respect local knowledge and cultural heritage, and integrate traditional systems with modern practices, offer a pathway towards sustainable development.
“Rather than development coming from the top, I think using community as the source of ideas and creativity is the place to start if we're thinking of economic development.” - Johnny Celestin
Moreover, Celestin believes that embracing humility and partnership is essential in charting a new course for Haiti's economic future by prioritizing bottom-up instead of top-down governance and decision-making models. By empowering local communities through decentralized governance structures and equitable resource allocation, Haiti could forge a path towards sustainable economic development rooted in inclusivity and self-determination.
The event was moderated by GAI managing director Denisse Yanovich.
