Country Card: Haiti
By Dorothy Simon
Haiti Fast Facts (Boatner, 2021):
Official Name: Republic of Haiti
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Population: 11.6 million (2022)
Official Languages: French, Haitian Creole
Money: Gourde
Area: 10, 714 mi 2
Introduction:
Located on the western third of the island of Hispaniola, Haiti is a Caribbean nation with a turbulent history and a rich cultural heritage. Prior to its independence in 1804, Haiti was a slave-based French colony with successful sugar and coffee industries. These industries led the colony to become the most profitable colony in the Americas by the 1760s. During these years of forced labor and enslavement, beginning in 1791, prominent leaders such as Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines and other formerly enslaved persons fought against French colonial rule for twelve years. With the declaration of Haiti as a sovereign nation in January 1804, the nation became the first to experience independence in Latin America and the Caribbean and the only state in history to have a successful slave revolt leading to the ruling of nonwhite and former captive people (Bunning, 2021).
Since breaking free from French colonial rule over two centuries ago, Haiti has weathered multiple foreign interventions, chronic political instability, civil unrest, and catastrophic natural disasters. The convergence of these factors has transferred the formerly prosperous colony in the Americas into the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Economy:
Often described as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti grapples with systemic economic challenges that have hindered the well-being of its population and the overall development of the nation. With over half of its citizens living below the poverty line and limited access to essential services, many Haitians rely on subsistence farming for their sustenance, reflecting the persistent struggle for economic stability and security within the country.
The economy of Haiti operates within a free-market framework, focusing primarily on small-scale subsistence agriculture, free trade, the assembly industry, tariff liberalization, and foreign exports. In the 1980s, the nation embarked on a path of economic liberalization, becoming a significant participant in the Reagan administration's Caribbean Basin Initiative, which facilitated a transition from a partially state-dependent economy to an open-market system. Despite these efforts, structural adjustment agreements with prominent international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank, and IADB, have failed to effectively stimulate growth and attract foreign investments. This lack of progress is primarily attributed to persistent political instability, pervasive corruption, and the government's inability to modernize critical infrastructure and legal systems (BTI 2022 Country Report - Haiti 2022).
The country continues to experience a detrimental economic downturn due to the convergence of multiple factors. Repeated national lockdowns due to gang violence and the deterioration of crucial state institutions due to political turmoil have significantly impaired the Haitian government's ability to achieve macroeconomic stability, generate employment opportunities, and foster economic growth through foreign trade and investment. The proliferation of gangs in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and persistent roadblocks along the main access routes have created substantial hurdles for the free movement of goods within the country, hampering commerce and economic progress. Additionally, issues such as land spoliation, ineffective control over ports and tax offices, and arbitrary government decisions related to the national currency have further contributed to the destabilization of the Haitian economy (2023 Investment Climate Statements: Haiti 2023).
These intricate economic challenges underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and strategic interventions to revitalize Haiti's economy and foster sustainable development for the future.
Political Landscape:
Operating under a multiparty political system, Haiti is a constitutional republic whose most recent national legislative elections were held in November 2016. This election led to the appointment of Jovenel Moïse as president in February 2017 for a five-year term. Moïse began ruling by decree in January 2020 due to the lack of a sitting parliament as a result of postponed parliamentary elections. While in early February 2021, the Superior Council of the Judiciary of Haiti determined that Moïse’s presidency would soon end, Moïse held that his term in office was meant to be finished in February 2022. Opponents and the Council argued that his term would expire in February 2021 based on the Haitian Constitution and its definition of the beginning of the presidential term as when the president is elected, not when he takes office. The opposition soon began the proposition of a provisional president and administration and requested the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse.
In response to the mounting pressure and the call for his resignation, Moïse announced the organization of presidential and legislative elections through the Provisional Electoral Council for the following year, along with plans for a constitutional amendment via referendum. However, the political climate took a tragic turn in July 2021, when armed men assassinated President Moïse in his private residence.
The investigation into the assassination remains ongoing, and the political environment continues to be fraught with uncertainty and instability, characterized by a postponed presidential election and allegations against the acting president, Ariel Henry. Henry was named prime minister only days before the murder and has since come under suspicion after a previous Haitian chief prosecutor alleged he was in communication with a key suspect of the murder. As of now, the country is yet to achieve a stable political footing that can support sustained democratic governance and institutional development.
Analysis:
The history and contemporary landscape of Haiti stand as a testament to the enduring struggle faced by the nation and its people. From its very inception as an independent state, Haiti has faced vehement opposition from powerful global forces, leading to exploitation and interference that has shaped its trajectory. Foreign powers initially refused to acknowledge Haiti's sovereignty, subsequently manipulating its resources and politics to serve their interests, thus perpetuating a cycle of dependency and vulnerability.
In recent times, the proliferation of gang-related violence has posed a severe threat to Haiti's security, particularly within the metropolitan hub of Port-au-Prince. This ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the political instability following President Moïse's tragic death, has allowed these armed groups to assert their influence and control over critical supply routes and fuel facilities, resulting in a pervasive sense of fear and unrest within the populace.
Furthermore, the political sphere remains deeply polarized, making concerted efforts to achieve unity and stability an uphill battle. Economic turmoil, underscored by nationwide fuel shortages and transport strikes, has further compounded the challenges faced by the country, affecting the everyday lives of its citizens and the overall development of the nation.
Haiti's tumultuous political history, marked by authoritarian rule, political upheavals, and external interventions, has left a profound impact on the country's governance and societal fabric. From the notorious Duvalier regime's corruption and human rights abuses to the struggles faced by subsequent administrations, Haiti continues to grapple with the legacy of a troubled past.
Despite these challenges, the resilience and determination of the Haitian people endure, serving as a source of inspiration and hope for a better future. The road ahead remains fraught with obstacles, but through sustained efforts to foster unity, address systemic issues, and promote social and economic stability, Haiti can strive toward a future defined by progress, prosperity, and enduring peace.
References
Amnesty International. (2023). (rep.). Amnesty International Report 2022/23. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/americas/central-america-and-the-caribbean/haiti/report-haiti/.
Angelo, P. J., & Gevarter, D. (2021, July 14). The assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise: What to know. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/assassination-haitian-president-jovenel-moise-what-know
BBC. (2021, September 11). Haiti PM asked to testify in president’s assassination hearing. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58527693
Bertelsmann Stiftung . (2022). BTI 2022 Country Report - Haiti. BTI Transformation Index. https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/HTI
Boatner, K. (2021, September 3). Haiti. National Geographic Kids. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/haiti
Bunning, R. (2021, July 21). 5 factors that have led to Haiti’s current political state. ASU News. https://news.asu.edu/20210721-5-factors-have-led-haitis-current-political-state
Roy, D., & Labrador, R. C. (2023, October 3). Haiti’s Troubled Path to Development. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/haitis-troubled-path-development
U.S. Department of State. (2023, July 26). 2023 Investment Climate Statements: Haiti. U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-investment-climate-statements/haiti
United States Department of Commerce. (2023, July 1). Haiti. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/popclock/world/ha