The Republic of Haiti holds a very special place in the consciousness of Caribbean people. This recognition of that country’s importance led to its induction as a member of Caricom in 2002, holding a significant place as one of the non-Anglophone nations in the community, with the accompanying geopolitical factors. But long before that formal status, Haiti had commanded the attention of its Caribbean neighbours for many reasons.
This country of 10.5 million people, who speak French and Kweyol (Patois or French Creole), occupies the western part of the island of Hispaniola in the Northern Caribbean. The current focus of attention is a most unwelcome one – the assassination of its President Jovenel Moise on July 7, which is not only the most recent calamity afflicting the nation, but leaves it teetering on the edge of violence and instability. It tests the fortitude of a people struggling to sustain a living economy, but continually challenged to do so in the face of a fragile democracy, unstable politics and ever lurking violence.
This assassination strikes another blow to a country known for extreme poverty, with a history of adversity and glory, known for political conflict and strife, but admired for its triumph over slavery and colonialism. It has been wracked by severe natural disasters, such as 2010’s catastrophic earthquake and annual hurricanes. It is a nation praised and admired by the Anglophone Caribbean for setting the example of nationhood 300 years ago,…
