south africa

Haiti will become a full member of the African Union in June 2016.

Haiti may not have any geographic ties to Africa, but as an impoverished Caribbean state with its political and cultural legacy, it is definitely attached to the continent and the union could be of mutual benefit to the two. With its admittance in the next African Union summit in June 2016 in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, Haiti will be the only first member nation with no geographical connection to join the continent. In 2012, Haiti indicated its interest to move from its observer status to member status. Haiti always had a special relationship with Africa. Between 1307 and 1312, Haiti was the first Caribbean country to engage in pre-Columbian trade with Africa, where Africans cultivated the banana crop and established settlements in Haiti. In a speech in 2009, the deposed late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, then chairman of the African Union said, one day there will be a United States of Africa and it will include "Caribbean islands with African populations" such as Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

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These pictures show Jean Bertrand Aristide arriving at Bangui M'Poko International Airport which is an international airport located northwest of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, following his second exile from Haiti.

The second set shows Jean Bertrand Aristis, his wife Mildred Aristide and their two children Christine and Michaelle Aristide arriving in South Africa where he would be allowed to live in exile until he can safely return to Haiti.

For the second coup D'Etat given to Jean Bertrand Aristide, not so much as individuals but rather countries are accused. On February 29, 2004, the US, France and Canada are accused to be the masters behind the overthrew of Jean Bertrand Aristide government.

Following several weeks of conflicts, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted in a 2004 Haitian coup d'état in which one of his former soldiers (Guy Philippe) took the leading role. However, Aristide accused the U.S as one of the accomplices for orchestrating the coup d'état against him with support from Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and countries like France, Canada and some others. On 25 February, 2004, Guy Philippe and rebel forces surrounded Port-au-Prince and announced plans to arrest Aristide. On 29 February, 2004, Aristide resigned as President and left Haiti with his wife on board a U.S. military plane to the Central African Republic. In an interview on CNN, on March 2, 2004, he said he was told to resign to avoid bloodshed. He later claimed that, his departure was a kidnapping, accusing the U.S. for orchestrating a coup d'état against him.

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Here is a picture of Jean Bertrand Aristide, Mildred, Christine and Michaelle Aristide arriving in South Africa.

When Haiti's beleaguered President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigned following a coup d'état, and fled into exile for a second time on Sunday, 29 February 2004, he left the impoverished nation in a chaos. The former Catholic priest was once hailed by the masses as their savior. Aristide later accused the U.S as one of the accomplices for orchestrating the coup d'état against him with support from Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and countries like France, Canada and some others.

Aristide's enforced departure created a vacuum. Hundreds of gunmen, most of whom were his supporters, and other rebel leaders, outlaws, poured on to the streets of the capital. About 100 U.S. Marines arrived on the night of departure and Canada, France and several Caribbean nations also agreed to send troops to restore law and order in the country. The outstation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004 left a large number of 9 mm weapons, 38's, American-style machine guns, M-14's and hand grenades in the hands of his supporters and other hooligans. As a consequence of this, regular exchange of ammunition among the gangs and with the UN peacekeeping force was a routine matter.

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Here is a picture of the Haitian Embassy in Pretoria South Africa as possessions of the property were taken to a storage after a judge had had ordered the local sheriff to remove the belonging.

The order was issued this Friday and the eviction procedure took place on Friday as well.

On July 18th, Judge Janse van Nieuwenhuizen of the Pretoria High Court has given an attachment order under the principle of "tacit hypothec", to attach all the moveable properties of the Haitian embassy in Waterkloof, in Pretoria for non-payment of rent for 10 months aggregating US$44,265 (South African Rand 550,500). When as per the court order, the local Sheriff accompanying his men arrived at the embassy and started loading a truck with furniture of the embassy, they were stopped by the embassy staff who argued that their property cannot be attached as they enjoy diplomatic immunity. Earlier, the staff had called the Diplomatic Police and had informed that an armed robbery is taking place in the embassy premises. When the Diplomatic police arrived at the spot, they found none other than the Sheriff and his men. However, the embassy staff were informed by the landlord's legal representative that diplomatic immunity is not available on commercial transactions like rent payment.

The Embassy was located at:
826 - 830 Government Avenue
Eastwood, Pretoria. 0083
Gauteng - South Africa

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Here is a picture of South African Minister Luwellyn Landers who was conducting a visit to the Caribbean island of Haiti.

Lately, the deputy minister of South Africa, Luwellyn Landers is on a five nation with the motive to promote and sustain bilateral ties with the Caribbean countries. On his visit to Suriname, in north eastern South America, he had a meeting with the minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Lackin and a MoU was signed with the aim of establishing cooperation and sustenance of the cordiality the countries have had since 1995. On his visit to Haiti, the South African International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister is expected to have discussions and consultations with the Haitian minister of foreign affairs, Lener Renauld. He is also entitled to see the president Michel Martelly.

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Here is a picture of a supporter of Jean Bertrand Aristide demanding his return from exile in South Africa

Aristide Returned From Exile In South Africa

Haitian government delivered his diplomatic passport in the month before his return and in this context, the South African Cabinet Minister Collins Chabane had said, " if he wants to go we can't hold him hostage." People in the Haitian political circle were of opinion that any of the election winners could reverse his long awaited return. His return just before the election was not liked by the U.S.. Even at the last moment, they were exerting pressure on South Africa to delay his flight.

As a two time President, he was never able to complete his terms. The first time he was ousted from power in a coup, but restored later through a military intervention in 1994 and during the second time, a rebellion in 2004 forced him to escape from the country. Aristide was a former slum priest in his early life, very popular among the poor Caribbeans.

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Here is the picture of a huge crowd welcoming former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide from Exile in South Africa.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide (61), the former president of Haiti ended his seven years exile in South Africa when he landed on the grounds of Toussaint L'Overture Airport, Port-au-Prince on March 18, 2013. Thousands of his supporters were waiting to welcome him at the airport. His American civil rights and immigration lawyer Ira Kurzban, had earlier announced his plan to return to Haiti. Before his departure from a small airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aristide had spoken to about 50 reporters in several languages. The South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane accompanied the former President Aristide, his wife, Milfred and two daughters, Christine (14) and Michaela (12) to the airport. His children have passed half of their formative years in exile. Before departing Johannesburg, the former President spoke in Zulu to announce---"the great day has arrived to say goodbye before returning home. Haiti is eagerly waiting as their dreams will be fulfilled on my return. The Haitian people will mark the end of exile and coup d'etats while peacefully we move from social exclusion to social inclusion."

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Haitian-American Patrick Gaspard has been selected as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa.

He began his career working for New York Mayor Dinkins, and headed the New York City Council. In 2003, he participated in Howard Dean's presidential bid.

Gaspard was appointed Special Advisor to President Obama in 2008. In 2011, the American Patrick Gaspard has been selected as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa.
Democratic National Committee appointed him its Executive Director.

Obama's Security Advisor says Gaspard is the right choice because he comes from the Congo, and "cares deeply about South Africa".

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Here is a picture of Jean Bertrand Aristide with Nelson Mandela. The African Icon Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was heavily involved in popular resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948.

After his political party, the ANC, was banning of in 1960, Nelson Mandela moved to the military wing within the ANC. Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced. Later on, on June 12, 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment.

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Here is the picture of former Haitian president as he spent his last day in South Africa before returning home.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide thanks President Zuma and the government, former President Mbeki and his wife, our beloved Madiba and his family before leaving South Africa

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