02/02/10
Where is Haiti’s President? According to a CTV article, Preval has rarely been seen in public since the devastating earthquake struck the country. Unrest in the country is growing over the inactions of the Haitian government to work towards rebuilding the country.
“Many called for ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's return -- a familiar political refrain when things swing between bad and worse in Haiti”
However, it seems that his supporters might just be trying to use a devastating situation for political gain. Aristide was ousted in 2004 for allegations of corruption and drug trafficking. The fact that he is interested in returning to Haiti during a time of such great crisis, reeks of political opportunitism. I don’t think it’s a leap of the imagination to say that Aristide is more interested in personal gain than helping the people of Haiti.
Haitians are facing an unimaginably difficult situation, made worse by corruption inside and outside government. The absence of Preval from the seen over the past 3 weeks indicates a leader that is not willing to do what he can for his people. Unfortunately, the most prominent opposition party, Lavalas party, was lead by Aristide. Haitians seem to be stuck between a government that so far has proven useless to them in this situation and a party that has faced allegations of corruption and may only be seeking political gain.
I believe that until a strong, reliable government is put in place that any aid being sent to the country must go directly to the people. Governments need to cut out the middle man (the Haitian government) and give the aid to NGOs such as the Red Cross and UNICEF. Given the corruption that seems to be a tradition in the government of Haiti, any money that goes to them will likely not find its way to the people.
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