Sunday, November 28, 2021

Diaspora Unity is the only way - Pa gen Wout pa Bwa

I hold the firm and deep belief that molding our broken pieces can create a beautiful mosaic.
As the discussions are evolving on finding a solution to Haiti’s multi-faceted crises, a few voices have risen to question the legitimacy of the process that the “Commission pour la recherche d’une solution haitienne a la crise - CRSC (the Commission to find a Haitian Solution to the Crisis). These voices are also questioning the process that resulted in the diaspora representation in the “Conseil National de Transition – CNT (National Transitional Council).”

It is not a given for everyone to follow all the emails and conversations that are taking place in our very wide and disparate community and hence why I am always cautious to accuse fellow Haitians of bad faith. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate and worth noting because of this lace of information, there are actors who have used this gap to create fake news and defame the good name and work of other groups. Of course, this is often the case as one group tries to promote its own agreement (accord) – as is the case for a number of groups in Haiti and in the diaspora that are putting forth new proposals to resolve the crisis. This piece will outline the history and process that led to the identification of three representatives who will represent the diaspora within the CNT.
Engaged citizens in the CRSC are heroes.
The “Commission pour la recherche d’une solution haitienne a la crise - CRSC” is made up of a heroic group of citizens who, despite the risks to lives and limb, decided to come together to find a Haitian solution to the Haitian Crisis. This effort started while President Moise was still alive and accelerated after he was savagely assassinated.

It is true that despite the Herculean efforts the CRSC and its supporters made to communicate and share with the Haitian public the process and goals of this initiative, there are still many people who do not know about it. It is a difficult problem to overcome and especially so if folks are not interested in the political process. On the other hand, there are those who do know but act in bad faith because they have their own political agendas. I will assume that there are more people who do not know then those who are being deceitful for selfish political reasons. I hope this note will provide the history of the work of the Commission and particularly of the Forum Haitien pour la Paix et le Développement Durable (FOHPDD).

Keeping the Haitian diaspora well-informed remains a major challenge.
The Commission was created https://lenouvelliste.com/article/228966/creation-dune-nouvelle-commission-pour-la-recherche-dune-solution-haitienne-a-la-crise?fbclid=IwAR3GMA215Evdj324fUaqNwFhZtVowUDJ9iT258rJt8lKyxtt7DHTmnSgZRA

  • May 17, 2021 : The commission pour la Recherche d’une Solution à la Crise (CRSC) was officially launched. The Forum Haitien pour la Paix et le Développement Durable (FOHPDD) was a founding member to represent the diaspora.
  • July 17,2021 : CRSC held the first major inter-Haitian Conference. FOHPDD was there to represent the diaspora.
  • July 28,2021 : CRSC held the second session of the inter-Haitian Conference. FOHPDD was there to represent the diaspora.
  • August 30, 2021: The “Montana accord” was signed. FOHPDD was there and signed as a member of the Commission. https://www.facebook.com/110708491198576/photos/a.112103764392382/161928772743214/

As part of the “Montana accord,” each sector had to delegate three representatives. This task fell to FOHPDD as the group that had been part of this effort to ensure the diaspora was present.
Pa gen wout pa bwa
I will close with one last word of caution. While many people will sit on the bench and criticize how the game is being played. One fact remains, the game is being played with the players who are on the field. In sum, whether the diaspora gets involved or not, the political process that is underway will continue in its course. Some folks are proposing an electoral process to select diaspora representatives. This idea was floated and discussed in the 90s with the concept of the 10th department. It resurfaced after the 2010 earthquake and is raised whenever one group from the diaspora attempts to unite the diverse and often seemingly disparate organizations. Yet, there is more that unites that divides us.

The selection of diaspora representatives hasn't happened for many reasons but I will note just one. In a normative sense, it is extremely difficult for civil society to undertake its own electoral process because the question of legitimacy and partisanship will arise as it is happening with the CRSC and with FOHPDD. There are always groups that question the legitimacy of other actors or groups that try to initiate such the process of coalition building. At the roots of this legitimacy question is the division and mistrust that exists in our community. Additionally, folks prefer to sit on the sideline to comment rather than participating in what will inevitably be a difficult but imperative conversation -- pa gen wout pa bwa. I believe that we must find a way to overcome the instincts of mistrust. The Haitian diaspora could be an influential actor if it can find its collective voice. But to achieve this goal will require honest conversations among the different “Haitis.” I believe that this is the only path if we are to ever grow as a diaspora community and fully participate in the affairs of Haiti.

I hold the firm and deep belief that molding our broken pieces can create a beautiful mosaic.

Johnny Celestin
FOHPDD, board member



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