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The Architects of Chaos
The Architects of Chaos
  • January 17, 2025
  • | 1

The Architects of Chaos

In Haiti, chaos is not a simple consequence of events, but a carefully crafted product of actors whose decisions—or lack thereof—worsen the crisis every day. At the head of this orchestration of failures is the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), led by architect Leslie Voltaire since October 2024. Presented as a temporary solution to get Haïti out of its impasse, the CPT quickly proved ineffective and incapable of responding to the country’s urgent challenges.

Read the article in :

French : Les architectes du chaos

Spanish : Los arquitectos del caos

Creole : Achitèk yo nan dezòd

Chaotic Leadership

Created in April 2024, the CPT raised many hopes under the leadership of Edgar Leblanc Fils, Coordinator of the political party Organization of the People in Struggle (OPL). But these hopes were quickly extinguished. Internal divisions, poor governance, and corruption scandals have transformed this body into a caricature of administrative inefficiency. In less than a year, the CPT has become a symbol of impotence, unable to propose concrete solutions to the political crisis that has paralyzed Haïti since the fall of the Duvalier regime and which worsened after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The fall of the Duvalier regime raised a lot of hope, but as Meudec states, “The liberating surge of 1986 was followed by a form of stagnation in the political transition process marked by the return of corruption and violence” (Meudec 2007, 47). Indeed, after approximately 39 years of “democratic governance,” the country is nothing but chaos and desolation.

The country has remained without elections since 2016, reinforcing the illegitimacy of the institutions. The economic and political elite contribute to this blockage by refusing the reforms necessary to establish a climate of trust and stability. Far from being victims, these elites take advantage of the ambient disorder to maintain their privileges.

A chaotic economy

The Haitian chaos is as much economic as political. According to the report of the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 4.2% when comparing the last two fiscal years, going from 592.7 billion gourdes for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to 568.0 billion gourdes for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. According to the IHSI, this fall “constitutes the largest decline in the economy ever recorded since the 5.7% fall in GDP in 2009-2010, following the devastating earthquake of January 12 of the same year” (IHSI 2024, 4). The country ends 2024 with an inflation rate of 25.8% (IHSI 2024, 4). Daily survival has become a struggle for the majority of Haitians. Informal trade dominates the economy, accounting for nearly 80% of activities, while foreign investment is almost non-existent.

The Presidential Transitional Council, under the leadership of architect Leslie Voltaire, has shown no strategic vision to revive the economy. Economic plans are non-existent, and international funds often disappear into opaque circuits, further fueling systemic corruption. This corruption is not only the work of politicians. Indeed, economic and political elites, by controlling key sectors such as food and energy imports as well as internal security, participate in the perpetuation of poverty and dependency.

A chaotic security situation

Gang violence has become the main factor of instability in the country. These gangs dictate their laws, extort citizens, prevent access to essential services, and force thousands of people to flee their homes. According to the Haïti Expert Group, the number of displaced people in Haïti is estimated at more than 500,000 people by June 2024, an increase of nearly 60% compared to March 2024 (Haïti Expert Group 2024, 29).

We are also witnessing a process of transmission of violence to children. Recruited by force or lured by illusory promises of power and wealth, these children become both victims and instruments of violence. The Haïti Expert Group states that “the recruitment of children as young as 10 years old by gangs has increased considerably and children may now represent up to 50% of all gang members” (Haïti Expert Group 2024, 31). Lack of education, poverty and lack of prospects are the main drivers of this mass enrollment and contribute to the process of maintaining chaos.

A hypothetical future

Haitian youth, who represent more than 60% of the population, are both the main victims of this chaos and their greatest chance for recovery. However, political and economic actors ignore this potential, preferring to exploit this vital force for destructive purposes, as evidenced by the massive enrollment of young people in gangs.

However, with targeted investments in education, vocational training and entrepreneurship, these young people could become an essential lever for reconstruction. Local initiatives, supported by civil society and international partners, must aim to offer viable opportunities to these young people, in order to divert their energy from gangs and use it to build a more just and united society.

Build or destroy?

The chaos that Haïti is experiencing today is not the result of inevitability. It is the result of a chronic lack of leadership, systemic corruption and the complicity of elites who profit from the ambient disorder. The architects of chaos are not anonymous figures: they occupy positions of power and their decisions shape the country’s collapse every day.

To escape this spiral, a complete overhaul of institutions and a renewal of political and economic elites are essential. Haïti will only be able to recover with truly committed leaders, breaking with the dominant habitus, and a mobilized, committed and combative youth. The architects of chaos must give way to the builders of hope, because only a collective commitment, built on the ideal of freedom for all of the Fathers of the nation, will allow Haïti to regain its dignity and stability.

Citizen Ken

January 7, 2025

References

Meudec, Marie. 2007. Corps, violence et politique en Haïti. Sociological aspects.. Sociological aspects, 14, 1. ⟨hal-01636285⟩: 1-27. https://hal.science/hal-01636285v1 United Nations. 2024. Final report of the Group of Experts on Haiti

Ministry of Economy and Finance, Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics. 2024. Economic accounts in 2024

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Haïti et son Rôle Pionnier dans l’Abolition de l’Esclavage Mondial

For centuries, the institution of slavery has darkened human history, leaving behind a legacy of pain, oppression and the struggle for freedom. However, in this dark tale, one nation stands out for its courage and determination to break the chains of oppression: Haiti. Located in the Caribbean, Haïti played a pioneering role in the abolition of slavery, laying the foundation for the fight for freedom and equality around the world. The history of slavery in Haïti dates back to the arrival of Europeans on the island, which was then called Santo Domingo, in the 15th century. French colonists quickly established an economy based on sugar and coffee production, cruelly exploiting millions of African slaves deported to work on plantations. However, this brutal system engendered fierce resistance from slaves, whose fight for freedom ultimately led to one of the most significant revolutions in history. In 1791, under the leadership of iconic figures such as Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Henri Christophe, Haitian slaves rose up against their oppressors in an unprecedented rebellion. This revolt resulted in a war of independence that lasted more than a decade, but ultimately resulted in the proclamation of Haiti’s independence in 1804, making that country the first post-colonial nation ruled by people from slavery. The impact of the Haitian Revolution on the abolition of slavery worldwide cannot be overstated. By breaking the chains of oppression and proclaiming their independence, Haitians have sent a powerful message to all oppressed peoples around the world: freedom is possible, and it is worth the struggle. The example of Haïti inspired other movements for the abolition of slavery in the Americas and beyond, thus helping to shake the very foundations of the institution of slavery. Haiti’s participation in the fight against slavery was not limited to its territory; it also extended to external actions where Haitian men were sent or actively participated in movements for the abolition of slavery in other regions of the world. For example, Haitian President Alexandre Pétion supported Simón Bolívar, the leader of the South American revolution, by providing him with weapons, money and even men, which contributed to the liberation of several countries in America Latin of colonial domination. Haïti also provided support for independence movements in Central America. Haitian fighters, led by General Jean-Pierre Boyer, helped Venezuelan patriots fight against Spanish rule, contributing to the liberation of that region. The Haitian government financially and diplomatically supported movements for the abolition of slavery in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico, contributing to the gradual eradication of this institution throughout the region. Although Haïti did not directly participate in the American Civil War, many Haitians and descendants of Haitians played crucial roles in the abolitionist movement in the United States. Figures who were of Haitian origin or of Haitian ancestry, were important voices in the fight against slavery and for equal rights in the United States. The legacy of the Haitian Revolution remains a symbol of resistance and courage for future generations. Today, as the world continues to struggle against injustice and oppression in various forms, Haiti’s history reminds us that the fight for freedom is a universal fight, one that transcends borders and times. Haiti’s participation in the abolition of slavery throughout the world remains a crucial chapter in the history of humanity. Through their courage and determination, Haitians have paved the way for a future where freedom and equality are inalienable rights for all.

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History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.