Photos

Here is a picture of the Certificate of Discharge received by the Mayor of Delmas, Wilson Jeudy. This is expected to calm the nerves of some of his supporters who were determined that he received his discharge to participate in the next election scheduled for the end of the year. Wilson Jeudy is expected to register shortly as a candidate once again for the Mary of Delmas

Recall that last Thursday in middle of day, supporters of the outgoing mayor of Delmas, Wilson Jeudy, had demonstrated with violence in Delmas

Delmas Mayor Jeudy has received a discharge certificate releasing him from his duties as public funds manager of the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (SCAAD).

Supporters want him to run for another term and held violent protests to ensure his candidacy. Jeudy would not be able to mount a campaign for mayor without leave from his responsibilities at SCAAD.

Jeudy has held the mayor's office since 2006 under the Martelly government.

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Here is a picture of the newly renovated Ciné TRIOMPHE. During a protest against the government of Michel Martelly the protesters took their frustrations on the new movie theater by vandalizing it. Many glass windows were broken by rock throwers

The rehabilitation and modernization of the "Triumph" (earlier it was called Ciné Théâtre Triomphe ), in a construction of seismic building built, began in December 2012 with a cost of around US$7 million and it was first scheduled to reopen on February 2014. However, after a series of rescheduling, the work of renovation was completed and was awaiting for inauguration in December 2014. For several years there was no proper theater in Haiti. The renovated 'Triumph' includes three areas, two movie theaters and a place reserved for conferences. Its first room has a capacity of 450 seats and a scene that can support 50 performers at a time. The second room can accommodate 306 people. Both of them have been equipped with state of the art audio and video equipments. The theater also houses well furnished, all-inclusive dressing rooms. However, on December 18, while the renovated movie house was awaiting the official inauguration, some Aristide vandals came and smashed the place into an unusable state. This is an exhibit of Aristide's power politics and Lavalas welfare philosophy for people of Haiti!

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Here is the list of candidates for Haiti presidency that was rejected by the CEP. Pierre-Louis Opont who is the president of the CEP confirmed that the list released is final and not subject to any more changes.

The following individuals are no longer in the race:

1) Bennett Anthony - Repons Klas Mwayenn Nan

2) Brutus Pierre Duly - Consortium National des partis politiques haïtiens

3) Day Louis Gonzague Edner - Plateforme Ayisyen Kap Travay Pou
Rekonstwi Ayiti Inifiel ak Liberel

4) Delalau Paul Edouard Eddy - Force Démocratique Haïtien Intègre

5) Gauthier Marie Josefa - Alliance Démocratique pour la réconciliation nationale

6) Lamothe Laurent Salvador - Platfòm Peyizan

7) Magloire Raphael Robert Paul Gustave - Entente Nationale des Travailleurs pour le Réveil d'Haïti

8) Mayard Paul Thierry - Union Nationale des Démocrates Haïtiens

9) Pieriche Olicier - Reconstruire Haïti

10) Saint Lot Danielle - Defile Pati Politik Fanm ak Fanmi

11) Werleigh Jacques Emmanuel Georges - Mouvement National pour la Prospérité d'Haïti

12) Zenny Edwin J. R. M. Daniel - Konbit Nasyonal

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The candidacy of Laurent Lamothe, Jovenel Moïse, Jean-Henry Céant, Kesler Dalmacy and Edwin Zenny have one thing in common. Their candidacy to run in the next election have been contested for various reasons. For former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe the issue of discharge has returned since his registration to participate. For Kesler Dalmacy, his residency requirement is questionable. The allegations on Jovenel Moïse, Jean-Henry Céant and Edwin Zenny are even more serious; while some people are questioning the source or sources of the money for Jovenel Moïse, Jean-Henry Céant was heavily involved in the destruction of houses in the downtown area Port-au-Prince. Edwin Zenny for his part is being challenged for alleged involvement in auto theft and drug trafficking

Haiti is an impoverished nation which is struggling to recover from a number of hurdles like devastating earthquake, a major cholera epidemic and chaotic political instability these might seem great challenges, but no less than 70 presidential candidates believe they are the best for the job. However, out of the total 70 candidates, the candidacies of 5 contestants have been doubtful as they are questionable. The candidacies of Laurent Lamothe, Jovenel Moïse, Jean-Henry Céant, Kesler Dalmacy and Edwin Zenny have been challenged for various reasons. The candidates with their respective reasons for contesting are: (1) Laurent Lamothe could not submit a certificate issued by the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSCCA) that he has not mismanaged public funds. (2) Jovenel Moïse, could not disclose the sources of his candidacy fund, (3) Jean-Henry Céant, a notary, for his involvement in the destruction of houses in the downtown area Port-au-Prince; (4) Kesler Dalmacy, his eligibility based on residential status is questionable; and (5) Edwin Zenny, is contesting against charges of drug trafficking and vehicle theft.

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The United States sees an opportunity to save money and did not take time to communicate that to the Haitian authorities in charge of the next election in the country. According to the Special Adviser to the US State Department for Haiti, Thomas Adams, by reducing the number of elections from three to two,
Haiti will save close to $30 million. Who can top that?

Thomas Adams, the Special Adviser to the US State Department for Haiti, sees an opportunity to save about US$30 million and did not take time to communicate that to the Haitian authorities in charge of the next election that, if the country makes a change in the electoral timetable and holds election on 2 days instead of 3, before the end of this year, it may save that amount of money. The electoral timetable announced in March by the CEP called for the first round of legislative elections to be held on August 9, followed by a first-round presidential election and second round of legislative elections on October 25. Finally, the second round of the presidential election and local elections would be held in late December. Thomas Adams has said he understands the concerns expressed by various sectors of Haitian society who believe that the country does not have the financial means to achieve 3 elections. If the election of 9th August can be suppressed, the country may save $30 million. Furthermore, it will give enough time to the Electoral Council to prepare properly for the forthcoming election.

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Haiti is set to be free from all foreign troops in less than two years from now. If all goes as planned, all UN, MINUSTAH troops will be out of Haiti no later than 2016.

April 30th this year has marked eight years since the formation of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Brazil has played a big leadership role in MINUSTAH since President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted in early 2004. It was controversial then because it was regarded as a type of colonial government by the UN in the wake of Aristide's abrupt forced departure from power, following major national protests and violence. A report dated May 22, 2015, indicates that Brazil government has decided to remove its troops engaged in the MINUSTAH by the end of 2016. Currently, there are 1,343 Brazilian military acting in the country. The number will be reduced to 970 and 850 by the end of June and December respectively, this year, before the final withdrawal by the end of 2016. The forces from other countries will be withdrawn before the final withdrawal of Brazilian troop. During Brazil's ten years stay in Haiti, it has spent US$750 million (R$ 2.3 billion) of which US$ 320 million (R$ 1 billion) have been reimbursed by the United Nations.

Am I hearing this right?

One thing for sure is that Brazil will not have any troop in Haiti after 2016. The Brazilian Defence Minister, Jaques Wagner, made it clear.

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Former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe as well as the general public will not have to wait too long to see whether or not his candidacy for the presidency is serious. BED Ouest does not want to waist any time. The Secretary-Tresurer of BED West, Luther Eugène, just announced that the hearing for those challenging the candidacy of Laurent Lamothe will begin Monday, May 25, 2015.

It was the responsibility of the Haitian Parliament to decide whether the submission of discharge certificate issued by the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSCCA) is mandatory to allow former ministers to compete in elections. However, the former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, one important presumptive candidate for the presidential contest, could not provide that because of a defunct parliament. That could not stop the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to decide unilaterally, barring him contesting the presidential election when they received the petition filed by Jean Nazaire Thidé, Coordinator of the party of radical opposition "JISTIS", challenging Lamothe's candidacy. A part of the common citizen believes this act of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is usurping. It is neither the right of President Michel Martelly, the Superior Court of Auditors or the electoral council to give an up or down vote on "discharge certificates". The Haitian people should be allowed to decide on the issue of discharges via their votes, on the election day.

What do you think the result will be?

Will Prime Minister Lamothe "Pran Kanet"?

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Do you have a candidate in the Haiti upcoming election you don't like? If yes, this is the time to challenge him/her candidacy. Now it is the turn of deputy Arnel Bélizaire who wants Mr. Thierry Mayard Paul to be out of the process.

On Saturday, May 23, the former deputy Bélizaire has sent a letter to the Provisional Electoral Council challenging the presidential candidacy of Thierry Mayard Paul on two main grounds. They are-- Thierry Mayard Paul has made no disclosure of his assets and he has not submitted any certificate of discharge on the use of public funds which he was supposed to submit as per the electoral law (Article 90-h of the Electoral Decree) by virtue of holding the chair of Minister in the Interior and Territorial Communities. Bélizaire has asked the Council to reject the candidacy of Me. Thierry Mayard Paul for the above mentioned reasons. Since Monday, May 25th, 41 numbers of challenges were filed to the BED (Departmental Electoral Office), against 23 of the 70 Presidential candidates. Out of that two candidates, the former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe (from Platform Peyizan) and the Rector of the University Quisqueya, Jacky Lumarque (from Platform Verite) have faced 25% of the total challenges, 5 challenges each.

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Haitians will be able to travel once again as new passports just arrived. The Minister of Communication thinks that the people who have been waiting to obtain or to renew their passports will not have to wait any longer. 60,000 passports have been delivered to the Haitian authorities and are now available.

After several weeks of disruption in the supply of passport booklets, finally Mr. Rothchild Francois Junior, the Minister of Communication found some good news to announce... "60,000 passport books are now available". As per his statement, the immigration office will work throughout the weekend to clear every backlog because over 35,000 passport applications are pending. The minister has himself admitted that it is a result of "an act of state's irresponsibility". A new order has been placed to make sure this doesn't happen again. However, as per minister's assurance, the people who have been waiting to obtain or to renew their passports will not have to wait any longer.

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The third Annual Haitian Caribbean Book Fair to be held in Little Haiti.

On Thursday, May 21, the European Union with a funding of € 437,000 and support from the local communal board of Bizoton and the Association of Progressive Citizens for advancement and Country Reconstruction (ACPARP) and César Foundation for the Weak of Haiti (FCPFH) has launched a project on "drinking water supply and sanitation in the localities of Fonds-Brache, Grand Caille and Bel-Air". The project will initially allow the locals to have access to better quality of water through the sanitation of the nearest source of Chaud'eau which serves all of these localities. The total project is expected to be completed within a period of 30 months. During the launching ceremony, Javier Nino Perez, the Ambassador of EU has said, the EU promotes all inclusive development approach which concretely improves the living conditions of the most vulnerable segments of the population by providing essential services.

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