Haiti - Too Rich to be Poor: A Deep Dive into Conflict in Haiti

Loyola University Maryland hosted its first lecture in its Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series on October 2. The lecture “Haiti - Too Rich to be Poor: from 1804-2023” was led by Pamela White, the former U.S. Ambassador to Haiti.

Pamela White

Pamela White was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. She worked for the UnitedStates Agency for International Development (USAID)  in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Haiti, Egypt, and South Africa. From 1999 to 2001, she was director for East Africa where she coordinated the delivery of food to Ethiopia. She was also the Mission Director in Tanzania and played a significant role in malaria control, resulting in an 80% reduction in malaria cases. 

 

Haiti, a nation marked by a history of political turmoil, natural disasters, and a recent surge in gang violence, faces ongoing challenges with stability. Pamela White’s lecture addressed the historical events and ongoing issues affecting Haiti, including the troubled electoral history, the 2010 earthquake and the proliferation of gangs. She also discussed the Kenyan Solution, the current situation in Haiti, and potential options for restoring security and stability. 

 

Haiti's democratic journey began with the 1987-1988 elections, which failed due to a lack of functioning judicial systems and the absence of clear programs and policies. Despite these challenges, elections proceeded under the assumption that they were what the Haitian people wanted. Leslie Manigat's election followed, only to be overthrown within months. This ignited Haiti's ongoing political instability.In 1996, René Préval was elected as President, which offered a temporary period of stability. This was also short-lived.

 

In 2010, a catastrophic earthquake struck, killing approximately 280,000 people in a matter of minutes. This disaster left the country in ruins, with practically nothing functioning. The rubble created by the earthquake was of such magnitude that, if lined up end-to-end in dump trucks, it would have reached from Florida to Maine. 

 

Haiti's ongoing challenges include the rise of powerful gangs. While these groups have been present in the country since the 1980s, they have recently acquired more powerful weaponry. There has been a concerning influx of firearms into the hands of these gangs, many originating from the United States. This situation is caused by the lack of regulation regarding the exportation of firearms, with a particular focus on Miami. The Montana Group's attempt to gain leadership in Haiti has further empowered these gangs. Their control over the nation has grown causing Haiti has to be in complete chaos. Gang violence in Haiti continues to terrorize 80% of the population and kidnappings have risen by 180%.

On October 3, the UN Security Council approved a Kenya-led multinational force to assist in stabilizing Haiti. While this is seen as a positive thing, Kenyans do not know anything about Haiti’s culture, language, history which may cause difficulties during deployment. Eleven other countries including, Italy, Bahamas, and Mongolia have confirmed their intention deploy soldiers to Haiti as well.

It's important to recognize that the United States has played a role in Haiti's current state of affairs which is why helping Haiti is morally right and a responsibility. Haiti is rich in culture, history, and vibrant people. It holds a unique place in the history of freedom and revolution, as the first modern state to abolish slavery. The world must come together to support Haiti in restoring security, accountability, and ultimately, the promise of a brighter future for its people and rich culture.