Today, it has been unanimously acknowledged that the February 7, 2006 elections were a resounding success for all: first of all for the Haitian people, then the international community involved.

In other nations where political stability has been attained, elections have been organised to make minor changes to political personnel and fulfil a constitutional role of political changeover. Today in Haiti, elections have a completely different scope: they are organised with a view to institutionalising democracy and achieving the development so longed for by the people. This is the challenge, the great challenge.

In light of Haiti’s current economic situation, the Haitian people, despite their willingness to do so, are unable to single-handedly take up this great challenge. Historically, Haiti has always had a problem in terms of capital. The support of the international community is paramount in order for Haiti to meet the demands of its economic situation. Nevertheless, if we continue our efforts to solve the fundamental problem through the tangent, there would be a recurrence of the failures of the political transition toward democracy, which is already twenty years old. The fundamental problem is firstly economic and then political. The time has come to address this crucial problem. If we continue to cover it up or administer occasional palliatives, we run the risk of it growing in intensity, as has occurred over the last two years.

In order to achieve this, it is necessary for a new partnership to be developed between Haitian players who are cognisant of the stakes of democracy and national development and the international community that is supportive of socio-economic change in Haiti. True change in Haiti must undoubtedly come from the Haitians themselves. At the very least, the actions of the international community must reflect consistency, cohesion and planning. This is the most effective way to support the Haitian people in their quest for democracy and development. We can no longer retreat in the face of this current imperative. The new leadership resulting from the February 7 elections has made the task easier.

The necessary support can no longer be provided in the form of humanitarian aid and paternalism. There is a need for something greater. Enlightened support, a coherent programme of democratic institutionalisation and capitalist investment in the short and long term. At the dawn of the 21 st century, Haiti needs a sort of Marshall Plan for its survival. Similarly, capital investments can greatly contribute to political stability, democratic changeover and the emergence of ardent democrats. Democracy cannot be an empty shell. Without democrats there is no democracy. Moreover, without some level of development or modernisation, democracy will always be compromised. As indicated by our protagonist: You can be in favour of democracy and yet democracy turns its back on you.

Watson Denis is the Political Adviser at the Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Comments and reactions can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

March 02, 2006