Independence overshadowed by mounting unrest in Haiti

by Dominique Levanti

Wednesday, December 31, 2003

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): Haiti on Thursday marks the 200th anniversary of its hard fought independence amidst new fears about security in the impoverished state, and mounting protests against its president.

Haiti became the world's first black led republic on January 1 1804, when its population dominated by former slaves completed their war to be free from French colonial rule.

President Jean Betrand Aristide had hoped the commemorations would lift his domestic and international standing.

He invited heads of state from around the world to attend the bicentennial events. But unrest has been mounting against Aristide in recent months, and South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki will be the most prominent guest.

Independence was declared 200 years ago in Gonaives, a town in the north of the island that is now a hotbed of opposition to Aristide.

The Artibonite Revolutionary Resistance Front, the armed opposition group, has declared a ceasefire for the commemorations. But after the death of 35 people and wounding of dozens more in political violence in the town since September, security officials for all the foreign delegations are nervous.

A growing number of demonstrations have also been held in Port-au-Prince and other towns in recent months against Aristide, who has been accused of fixing the elections that brought him to power in 2001 and misrule since then.

Aristide, a former priest, has strongly denied the charges. But the United States, which sent an army of 20,000 in 1994 to end the military junta that had overthrown Aristide, has this month signaled its impatience, accusing Aristide's government of using "armed thugs" against anti-government demonstrators.

The commemorations will see the unveiling of a monument in front of the presidential palace and a gala dinner inside the palace. Aristide has also said he will go to Gonaives to make a speech to honour the proclamation of independence.

Apart from Mbeki, some heads of government from other Caribbean states are also expected in Port au Prince. Cuba's President Fidel Castro could also make a surprise appearance, but the revolutionary leader never announces his travels in advance.

Aristide would like the bicentennial celebration to be the crowning glory of his rise from a parish priest in a Port-au-Prince shanty to leader of the opposition to Haiti's notorious Duvalier family dictators and the presidency.

But a coalition of left and right-wing opposition groups, and nearly all the country's 15,000 students, have stepped up calls for Aristide to resign in recent months.

Diplomats in Port-au-Prince have speculated that the president could be forced out of office if there are giant demonstrations by the impoverished masses Aristide claims to represent. Until now the demonstrations have been limited. But there have been three anti-Aristide rallies in the capital in the past 10 days.

They said Aristide would have troubles if his security system turns against him. The president could also face international protests if a clampdown on demonstrations takes a heavy toll.

France will be represented at the commemorations by Edouard Flandrin, the head of the French-Haiti Friendship group in the French parliament. Colonial disputes have not yet been forgotten.

Haiti is demanding repayment of the 90 million francs that it had to pay for France to give up its claim to the former colony in 1825. France is resisting Haiti's demands for 21 billion dollars in compensation. 

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version