Haiti's Crossroads: Honoring our Legacy, Debunking the Myths, and Charting a New Diasporic Vision

Reuters

Honoring Our Legacy While Facing the Future

The Chinese proverb "Wealth does not pass three generations" speaks to the difficulty of one generation sustaining the hard-won gains of the previous one. This is a lesson that we, as Haitians, should heed closely. We are the inheritors of a monumental legacy—a revolution that changed the course of world history. However, this glorious past can feel like an albatross that limits our ability to imagine a different future.

The world is embracing the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the fusion of technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and analytics. Yet, many Haitians continue to believe and repeat that “Haïti est un pays essentiellement Agricole or Haiti is essentially an agricultural country.”

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing share of Haiti's GDP compared to Cuba and the Dominican Republic

This narrative is emblematic of our inability to account for data and facts in our analysis.  It fails to recognize that agriculture's contribution to our economy has been declining for decades, accounting for just over 20% of GDP. It also overlooks the backbreaking work farmers endure and the often meager rewards they get from that labor.  The sector's survival requires modernization and industrialization, which will lead to job losses without a policy to prepare the population for a new economy.

We are living in a state of denial, clinging to a past that has long since faded.

This failure of imagination is not limited to leaders in Haiti. It is also found in the diaspora, which is similarly grappling with issues of mistrust and the challenges of collective decision-making.

This is why I am calling on our diaspora organizations and more specifically on the National Haitian Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), which is made up of elected leaders across the country. They are a representative sample of the diaspora and its diversity. I believe NHAEON can and must take a leadership role in helping the diaspora develop a transformative Haitian-American agenda for Haiti.

I've previously discussed the idea of electing a representative for the diaspora — a process that will undoubtedly require time. While other organizations might aspire to lead the diaspora, none can match the gravitas and influence inherent to a group of elected officials. Regardless, we need to lean on our current elected leaders to bridge this significant void. NHAEON is ideally positioned to bring together the heads of various diaspora civil society organizations to crystallize a Haitian-American agenda.

Now, more than ever, we need NHAEON's leadership.

Historical Influences and Present-day Challenges

Haiti's past is deeply marked by the ravages of colonization, occupation, and systemic injustice. Political corruption and endemic violence have eroded trust, making consensus among us elusive. Consequently, many have chosen to live in "mawonaj," distancing themselves from an oppressive system. This detachment is reinforced by external forces that are continually working against our country, which has fostered a pervasive sense of suspicion and a tendency to believe in all kinds of conspiracies.

As a result, we have become easy prey to misinformation. The more sensational the claim, the more likely it is to be believed, even if there is no evidence to support it. For example, in an interview on the Radio Tele Metropole program "Le Point," which I highly recommend watching, Mr. Henry Vixamar, who has no expertise nor has done any research on mineral commodities, claimed that Haiti's mountains are filled with iridium. He asserted that one ton of iridium is worth $45 billion, so Haiti is likely sitting on hundreds of billions if not trillions of dollars worth of iridium. He also claimed that Haiti's oil deposit is worth $120 billion, its gold deposit is worth $20 billion, and its copper deposit is worth $8 billion.

Despite the lack of any explorations, studies, or reports to support the assertions about Haiti's natural resources, they have been seared into the collective memory as facts.

When pressed for evidence during the interview, Mr. Vixamar could only say that he has a contact in South Africa who has the information. The interviewer did not bother to ask for the evidence to support those assertions or even to ask whether Haiti's Mining and Energy Office confirms any of those claims.

Another example is our more recent reflex to want to turn to China or Russia for help in the fight for our sovereignty. Those who advocate for this rapprochement often overlook several critical factors that could make these alliances difficult and certainly not beneficial for Haiti.

• Geopolitical concerns: Haiti's proximity to the United States, the world's leading power, places us in a sensitive geopolitical zone. The consideration of an alignment with China or Russia, especially when these nations are in indirect conflict with the US in Ukraine, reflects an absolute lack of understanding of the power dynamics.

• Policy shifts: To pivot towards China would mean a reevaluation of Haiti's current alignment with Taiwan, a legacy from President Moise's tenure. Our ties with Taiwan complicate potential diplomatic relations with China.  Even if had a legitimate government that could rightfully make such a policy shift, Haiti could not deal with the blowback.

• Engagement with Russia: Similar geopolitical and policy challenges arise when considering Russia as an ally. While Russia might use Haiti as an opportunity to embarrass the US at the Security Council meetings, it has no strategic interest in Haiti. Today, Russia is only concerned with the conflict in Ukraine. Moreover, Russia's foreign interventions, often executed by the Wagner Group, have been severely limited by the deaths of the organization's leadership.

It is important to note that this analysis is not advocating for US intervention in Haiti's internal matters. However, it is ironic that while some Haitians are voicing concerns over the US's interest in our iridium, cobalt, and oil, they are simultaneously advocating for a strategic alignment with countries whose foreign policies are primarily geared towards extracting and capitalizing on such resources.

Leadership Accountability and the Diaspora's Mandate

Since 1986, there has been a lack of compelling visions from movements or leaders that resonate with the Haitian people. This challenge is also present in the diaspora.

While it is understandable to direct our frustrations toward the international community for Haiti's current challenges, our leaders must bear the brunt of the blame for not fulfilling their moral and legal responsibilities.

Indeed, international forces, particularly the United States and France, owe Haiti both historical and ongoing debts. I discussed this in my editorial, "You Break It, You Own It." However, as we seek reparations, it is also important for us to define and articulate our vision for Haiti’s future.

The diaspora is at a critical juncture. A strong diaspora working with local leaders in Haiti can help forge a renewed and inclusive vision. We have not yet done it and should take the time for self-reflection and accountability. In my previous article, "Haitian-American Leaders Need to Step Up, But Also Step In," I emphasized the urgency for leaders in the diaspora to bridge the divides and unite for Haiti's future.

This brings me to a renewed call for the National Haitian Elected Officials Network (NHAEON). With over 116 past and present Haitian-American elected and appointed officials, NHAEON is a microcosm of the diaspora and its diversity. Their membership includes judges who are experienced in mediation and arbitration, and as politicians, they are adept at navigating competing demands from a diverse electorate. With the backing of diaspora civil society organizations, NHAEON has the unique potential to influence policies that affect Haiti.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial for NHAEON to cultivate unity and cohesion within its ranks. By doing so, they can channel the diaspora's collective strength and help to set forth a transformative agenda for Haiti.