As I write this letter to readers, armed criminal gangs have stormed the port of Port-au-Prince and I am listening to the interview of our Canadian Ambassador to Haiti, His Excellency André François Giroux in Behind the scenes of power on the airwaves of our public television with Daniel Thibeault.
First observation: either we redefine our leadership on our continent in terms of foreign policies, especially within the framework of our “Political Francophonie” policy or else – and this is nothing personal – we must demonstrate more eloquence and relevance in this issue and stop aligning platitudes and politically correct formulas so as not to shock anyone. Haiti is dying.
We are in a situation of chaos and anarchy. The current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, is overwhelmed by events. What am I saying, we are faced with all the ingredients that make a prime minister a “straw man”, as they say in political jargon. We can talk about support policy in Haiti without “rest avèk”.
It is true that our relations with Haiti date back to 1954 (so they have lasted for 70 years). It’s true that we have the impression that with Haiti, we are facing an eternal restart like Sisyphus and his rock in Greek mythology. We lived through the horrors of the Duvalier, Avril, Aristide years, and so on. These magnificent people, who have suffered for a long time, are nevertheless the very definition of resilience. Those who fled to find refuge on our continent as far as Montreal greatly shaped modern Quebec as we know it today. This important diaspora, vital to us, deserves more respect and dignity than the “deaf ear” given to it by our Canadian and Quebec leaders.
If the Mandela file was, rightly, so dear to the Commonwealth of former Prime Minister Mulroney, Haiti must be a priority for our political Francophonie and for Justin Trudeau as for François Legault. “ Si yon dog gen four paws, li pap can go four ways » (Even if the dog has four legs, it can only take one direction), says a Creole proverb.
Concrete actions
The time has come to be proactive, relevant and impactful for the Haitian people. I therefore recommend concrete and real pressure to change the Henry government. I also ask that the international community really shed light on the murder of President Moïse. For this, we need a political ambassador on this issue. Ottawa must convene a “Montreal Summit” with all actors from the international community (Canada, Quebec, UN, CARICOM, ETA, Francophonie) and the Haitian Quebec and Canadian diaspora to establish a concrete and feasible timetable, both politically and politically. or economic than that of emergency management.
Ensuring that Canada actively participates in the UN Forces in Haiti is essential; we speak French and Creole here, not in Kenya. We must update the files of refugees, immigrants and family reunifications of Haitian nationals here. We do not want to make Haiti a “republic of NGOs” or a protectorate again. Everything is based on a support strategy. Finally, we must organize real elections in “the pearl of the Antilles”…
The purpose of this letter is not to point the finger at anyone in the public service, but to finally apply one of the most important words for me in the dictionary (but which too often finds itself buried), namely the verb “to assume”. If we rightly want to support the Ukrainian people, particularly because of their significant diaspora in the country, nothing justifies the “ business as usual » that the Haitian issue is currently experiencing. This is happening on our continent, the “political Francophonie” must be a priority and the Haitian diaspora deserves all our respect. “ Renmen moun ki renmen’w! » (Love those who love you!) The status quo is no longer an option!
And to think that Port-au-Prince is about two hours by plane from Miami…