Popular Discontentment in Haiti: Towards a Coup d'État?

By Scott Morgan

The weekend of November 18th was a surprise when it came to Haiti. After all, it was just a little more than a year ago when the UN Peacekeepers left the country after deeming the situation on the ground a success.

Fast forward twelve months: Haiti has a new Government. We were led to believe the situation was stable but sadly that is not the case. It appears the general population is not pleased with how the country is being governed - the  protests, over the weekend of November 17th, were planned to express their frustrations.

One cannot ignore how symbolism is important to both protesters and those who seek to counter their efforts. November 18th is an important date in Haitian history: during the Slave revolt against the French the insurgents defeated the French Army at the battle of Vertieres. Knowing their history it would be an easy move for the protesters to get people out into the streets to support them.

However, on the evening before the Haitian authorities moved to limit the effectiveness of the planned protests. There were reports of raids by Police and Security Forces in selected locations within the capital - Port-Au-Prince - and other cities in the country. The situation was deemed to be potentially dangerous by the US Embassy, in Haiti, to the point where they issued an advisory to US citizens in the country to stay away from certain points in the Capital.

The Situation on the Streets turned Bloody on the 18th

At least six people were reported killed by the Police Forces and a Police Officer was reported to have been killed during the clashes as well. The status on the ground remained unclear for the rest of the evening as well. There were reports on the 19th that the Government was urging those employees able to make into to their positions at Government Ministries to shelter in place. For a Government which has faced issues regarding corruption that was not a positive signal.

The largest takeaway at this point is that these protests have turned into a referendum on the status of Jovenel Moise. 

One of the issues of concern happens to be the misuse of funds allocated to the country under the PetroCaribe Oil Alliance. This is a deal signed between Venezuela and some of the struggling Caribbean states to provide funds for badly needed infrastructure projects and social and economic programs.

President Moise has not done himself any favors either. He has struggled during his term in office to address the myriad of issues that plague Haiti as it continues to recover from the devastating earthquake several years ago. His style of Politics has alienated allies and stymied diplomats as well. He comes across as arrogant and not willing to change tactics when programs are not working. When a leader acts in such style it is generally dangerous.

Even though his term is not officially over the people on the streets in Haiti are demanding change in leadership. How it comes about will be the question of the day:

• Will he be forced out by a coup? 
• Will those on the street drive him out of office? 

These scenarios present an interesting question: Which option will be the lesser of two evils?

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