Photos

There is a major confrontation with Roro Nelson who was invited in court and Jean Danton Leger. Who will have the last laugh.

Ronald Nelson, alias Roro Nelson was summoned by the Government Commissioner Jean Danton Leger to clarify the allegations of theft and extortion brought against him. This close associate of former President Martelly was first summoned by the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince on April 11, 2016, with a scheduled date to appear on April 15, 2016. Since he did not respond, the prosecutor of Port-au-Prince issued a warrant against him on Thursday, April 14. The spokesman prosecutors Mirlande Dupiche Prévost had explained that this warrant has been issued after he shunned two invitations of the Government Commissioner of Port -au-Prince Mr. Danton Leger to appear before him. In the mean time, some preventive actions against him like travel ban to leave the country, have already been taken. Some of the allegations brought against him include: awarding Oliver Martelly a several million US dollar contract to construct a large sports complex, extortion on money on properties of citizens, etc. Now, it is time for us to watch who finally retreat-- Roro Nelson or Danton Leger.

Permalink | Comments

Toward the creation of a Verification Commission in Haiti.

On Monday, April 11, 2016, the Interim President Jocelerme Privert sent letters to all political parties, whether represented in the Parliament or not, to discuss the establishment of an Electoral Verification Commission. The discussion would start from April 12, 2016, as per the terms of the Commission as mentioned before. The Head of the State has said, it is his obligation to define the role of the Commission based on the consensus of all involved stakeholders to avoid all future crises. We might remember that in last month, even the Haitian Human Rights Leaders, composing coalition of RNDDH, CNO, CONHANE and SOFA, had recommended the necessity of a verification process to uphold Haitians' right to vote and to avoid a major political and electoral crisis.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of Kompas singer and Deputy of Marchand-Dessalines, Gracia Delva who was accused of stealing two Generators.

Gracia Delva is a singer, Konpa maestro, actor, former MP, better known by his stage name as singer Gracia Delva Marchand-Dessalines. He is the Deputy of Marchand Dessalines (Artibonite) under Haitian Tet Kale (PHTK) banner who won the August 9, 2015 election with a 61.06% margin. According to Radio Scoop FM News on April 11, 2016, the people of Marchand-Dessalines have accused him of stealing two generators which the Martelly administration had provided to distribute generated power to the people of Dessalines. Such an accusation came when the people of the commune took the street to protest the ongoing blackout in the city. They accused him of literally stealing two generator sets for his own benefit while leaving the city in complete darkness. 'Dessalines' or sometimes it is called as 'Marchand-Dessalines', is a commune in the Artibonite department of Haiti, named after Jean-Jacques Dessalines.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of the Senator of South, Jean Marie Salomon.

In 2011, Jean-Marie Salomon (born April 17, 1977), the young lawyer became the youngest Government Commissioner appointed to the Court of First Instance of Les Cayes. On September 8, 2014, he came to the limelight by arresting Mr. Evintz Daniel, a friend of President Martelly. Salomon recovered a large quantity of marijuana aboard his yacht floating on the sea. However, the next day, his superior, the Minister of Justice, Jean Renel Sanon was informed that Jean Marie Solomon Junior has been relieved of his function and suspended for abuse of power. Salomon could not accept that undeniable injustice; he resigned and left the country. He came back a few months later, took part in the Parliamentary election in 2015 and became an elected Senator from the South.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of Senators Jean Renel Senatus and Youri Latortue,

Senators Jean Renel Sénatus is one of the three members of Bureau d'Age responsible to validate the appointment of new Senators. He was a member of the minority group in the Senate (G9) who submitted his withdrawal from G9 in the second week of April, through a letter addressing the President Privert. In simple words, the reason for his withdrawal as was stated are, his integrity and ideology does not match the activities of the group of Youri Latortue.
Jean Renel Sénatus is also known by his crime-fighting nickname "Zokiki" for his struggle against juvenile delinquency. Youri Latortue is an ally of Haitian President Michel Martelly. This outspoken Senator is one of the Haiti's most powerful politicians. However, he was against the extension of Martelly's mandate till May 14, 2016. He is a leading advocate for reestablishing the demobilized Haitian Army and an alleged drug-trafficker, gangster, godfather, and a death-squad leader.

Permalink | Comments

Here is former Haiti Prime Minister Gary Conille explaining his role in funds from PetroCaribe to the Permanent Committee and Senate Ethics Corruption Committee in April, 2016. He washes his hands 0ff PetroCaribe funds like Pontius Pilate at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.

On April 14, 2016, Garry Conille, the former Prime Minister of Haiti (18 October 2011 - 16 May 2012) was summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of the Senate, to share some information about the management and disbursement of PetroCaribe fund. He had made it clear to the commission that he had some reservation about the procurement procedures and the documentation of some projects under the fund and thus, unlike some of his predecessor Prime Ministers, he did not sign the disbursement resolution. On becoming the Prime Minister, he came to know that on 12 May 2011, three contracts valued at 348 million were signed between the State of Haiti and the Dominican firms, bending every procedural rule. He did not even sign the first resolution taken by the Martelly administration on February 28, 2012.

Permalink | Comments

Here is an example of Subsidized U.S. food invading the Haitian market, peanuts as humanitarian aid to Haiti. April, 2016 - US plan to ship 500 metric tons of surplus American peanuts to help feed more than 140,000 malnourished schoolchildren in Haiti.

A recent announcement by the U.S administration to ship 500 metric tons of surplus peanuts to feed 140,000 malnourished Haitian schoolchildren has set off a fierce debate. People are divided in opinion whether such food aid is a humanitarian necessity or a counterproductive gesture. As per U.S Government statement, it is a humanitarian necessity, because, (a) about 30% of Haitian youngsters suffer from chronic malnutrition; (b) following a three-year drought, Haiti is facing unprecedented food insecurity; (c) the donation will not have any noticeable impact as it represents only 1.4% of Haiti's average annual peanut production. It will not make any difference to the economy, but would improve the diets of the most vulnerable children attending schools. In spite of a complicated relationship with the foreign donors, the U.S. has long been the largest donor of foreign aid that Haiti is dependent on. Peanut contribution is a minuscule addition to the billion dollar U.S assistance. However, as per Haitian economist and activist Camille Chalmers, it is a U.S attempt of drawing down stockpile and benefiting American agribusiness.

Permalink | Comments

Here is the map for the development of Haiti Dominican Republic border by Quisqueya Economic Binational Council, CEBQ.

On Friday, April 15, 2016, at the office of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Binational Economic Council Quisqueya (CEBQ) has submitted its project on the development of Haitian-Dominican Border Trade. The proposal indicates how the border development projects can benefit the inhabitants of both the nations. The Industrial Development Corporation of the Dominican Republic involved in the project, presently has employed 8,000 of its workforce and they believe there would be job opportunities for about 200,000 people within next 10 years. Population growth in both the countries is a fact that none can ignore. IFC, a part of the World Bank, was created in 1956 with an objective to assist economic development by encouraging the growth of productive private enterprise in its member nations, particularly in the underdeveloped areas. Thus, we should make them understand the need to invest and assist the Binational Economic Council Quisqueya in every possible way.

Permalink | Comments

Here is the picture of the Seven demobilized soldiers of Haiti FAD'H who were arrested in St. Mark.

As per the announcement of Jean Joras Sydney, the Commissioner of Police of St. Mark, on April 14, 2016, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) with the support of MINUSTAH have arrested seven demobilized soldiers of the disbanded Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H) from the office of an old building belonging to the Frecyneau police station, in the southern part of the capital city. These soldiers were in olive green uniform and came from towns of Jacmel and Petionville. The police was alerted by the local people about the presence of these former military members. During the operation, there was no exchange of fire. They were arrested peacefully while some of the arrestees were in sleeping condition.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of both Ecuador and Haiti flags.

The flags of Haiti and Ecuador will flutter together. They have a relationship built on cooperation. Since the last visit of Haitian President Martelly to Ecuador to meet Ecuadoran president Rafael Correa in July 2012, the two brotherly states have deepened their bilateral relations and cooperation in areas such as health, education, migration, technology, air transport and infrastructure. During their meet, the Ecuadoran president warned President Martelly against neocolonialism and the need for increased regional integration. Ecuador has extended its support to rebuild L'Artibonite area devastated by the 2010 earthquake. Both of these two nations are affiliated with ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas) where Ecuador is a core member, and Haiti is an observer state. A little known fact about the Haitian flag should be worthwhile to mention here that it was only in the 1936 Olympics, people realized that Haiti and Lichtenstein shares just the same flag! In the next year, a crown was added to the Lichtenstein flag.

Permalink | Comments