The Inside Story - Haiti in Crisis | Episode 136
This week on The Inside Story...
A Caribbean nation descends deeper into chaos.
The State Department pledges increased support to resolve the crisis.
A Kenyan-led multinational armed force in doubt as disagreement swells in Nairobi.
And hip hop star Wyclef Jean weighs in on his embattled home country's future.
Now... on The Inside Story... Haiti In Crisis.
I’m Elizabeth Lee in Washington.
Today we focus on the situation in Haiti as that island nation descends further into chaos.
National Police are working to regain some control of the capitol Port Au Prince as rival gangs fight amongst themselves… and civilians cower in their homes.
How did we get here, and is there hope the world could come together to stop the violence?
All this on today’s Inside story.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry recently announced his resignation one day after the United States pledged another $100 million to a United Nations-backed multinational security force. The money is for assisting the country’s police in combating gangs.
The U.S. pledged an additional $33 million in humanitarian aid. starts us off this week from Washington.
A political crisis and rising violence have created an untenable situation for the Haitian people.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to step down after a transitional authority is established that will govern the violence-plagued nation until new elections are held. The United States is urging him to expedite this transition.
Amid the ongoing crisis that threatens Haiti's stability, the U.S. on Monday increased its commitment for the Caribbean country’s security and humanitarian support.
The United States Department of Defense is doubling its approved support for the mission from $100 million to $200 million. And that brings the total U.S. support to $300 million for this effort. I'm also announcing additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti: $33 million to further support their health and food security.
At the United Nations, diplomats hope the deployment of the U.N.-endorsed multinational security support mission to Haiti will help the country stop the violence.
Some analysts believe the mission can create the security conditions necessary for upcoming elections.
Some of it is financial support to actually support this mission. The United States Southern Command is already on record as indicating that they are in process of providing planning assistance, information sharing and intelligence relating to the situation on the ground in Haiti.
Others are skeptical of foreign forces pouring into Haiti.
You've seen members of Haitian civil society come to testify before Congress have said: 'We don't want additional forces in our country, because forces have come in here, they've raped our women. They've spread disease. They've, you know, collaborated with criminal elements.
The Caribbean Community said the transitional council for Haiti would consist of seven members representing political coalitions and the private sector, plus two non-voting civil society members. This council will appoint a new prime minister and initiate preparations for upcoming presidential elections.
Nike Ching, VOA News, Washington.
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The United States’ relationship with Haiti dates back nearly a century to 1934. It’s been at times -- a troubling history marred by corruption and ever-changing dynamics between the two nations. For more on how we got here, VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us this timeline of events.
The United States occupies Haiti from 1915 to 1934.
1934.
Following the U.S. military withdrawal in 1934, a new Haitian military force was created.
1957-1986:
Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier elected president in 1957. He rules Haiti until his death in 1971.
His Son Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier then rules the country until ousted in 1986.
1972:
The Number of Haitian refugees rises as thousands flee the homeland.
1980:
Influxes of 18,000 Haitian and 125,000 Cuban refugees onto U.S. soil result in the Carter Administration creating a new immigration classification – called 'entrants' – neither refugees nor asylum seekers without any real legal status.
1981:
The Reagan Administration establishes an interdiction-at-sea program. Hundreds of boats intercepted. Tens of Thousands of Haitians are returned to Port-au-Prince from 1981 to 1991.
1991: