Former Haitian rebels form political party, seek office
Thursday, May 20, 2004
GONAIVES, Haiti (AFP): Former rebels of
Haiti's National Resistance Front (FRN) which played a major role in ousting
president Jean Bertrand Aristide seek to conquer the ballot box with the
formation of their new political party. The
National Reconstruction Front (FRN), founded Tuesday, will present candidates
in Haiti's 2005 general election. Former
rebel leader Guy Philippe, 36, Winter Etienne, 40, and Buteur Metayer, 32,
will hold, respectively, roles in the party of secretary general, general
coordinator and president. Tuesday's
announcement was made before a crowd of 1,000 in the northern city of Gonaives,
held by the FRN rebels during the armed insurgency against Aristide.
A scheduled handover of weapons to Haiti's national police by the ex-rebels
failed to take place after FRN officials said all arms had been turned in
already. Aristide renounced the presidency
and left this impoverished Caribbean nation February 29, amid escalating
violence and bloodshed. He has gained temporary asylum in South Africa.
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