We are not there yet

Google Image

Before I start this post, I want to ask my readers and supporters some questions. What does occupation mean? Well, I checked dictionnary.com on my phone and I found it means: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces. So what about the UN (United Nations) forces in Haiti? Is it an occupation or not? I know the UN do not call it occupation because they always say they are helping Haiti to get out out poverty. Huh poverty! Lets see what has happened with this help!

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) replaced the Multinational Interim Force led by the U.S. after a rebellion overthrown President Jean Bertrand Aristide in 2004. Haiti is an independent country and the constitution does not authorize and recognize any foreign military force on the national soil. Therefore, MINUSTHA is a violation of the Haitian constitution. They have been in the country for about eight years now. There are over thirty countries that have troops in MINUSTAH. According to un.org,the budget for the troops was $793,517,100 (1 July 2011 - 30 June 2012). It’s almost a billion dollars, so this is a lot of money. What is the real goal of MINUSTAH? This is a big question because they cannot not stay forever. They say that they came to help Haiti, but they have been accused for bringing cholera into the country, committing sexual violence on both women and men and also shooting Haitians during riots. Is this the goal of MINUSTAH?

 A few months after the quake, a cholera outbreak began in Haiti and it has killed over 7000 people.The Nepalese force keepers have been accused as the main folks who dumped waste into a river and contaminated it, but the UN still deny the accusation and don’t take any responsibility for it.
In terms of culture, the UN troops do not know the Haitian culture. In fact, occupy a country which is not yours always does not  seem to work because it’s a different culture with a different mindset. Peace does not always come with machine guns and tanks. I believe it takes help that could develop a nation with its own ideology.

This budget could have been used to build hospitals, roads; schools, provide clean water and power electricity etc… But the goal of the international community is keeping Haiti under their influence, begging for money all the time and putting division between the Haitian politicians and regular citizens. They want the troops to be there so that their affiliated companies can make money. Does this help? What does it take to stabilize Haiti? I don’t think machine guns count. It takes good economic development and reform of the justice system etc... When will Haiti have a break from this international hegemony? I think the idea would be helping Haiti through its difficulties and not making decision for it. The result of this occupation is fatal and the money that they are giving Haiti is basically returned back to the U.N. I say this because, the money is being used to paying for the troops and covering their expenses.

The presence of MINUSTAH in Haiti causes too much bad outcomes. The country does not need machine guns and military force. However, it does not  help and I would call it imperialism which does not do any good for the Haitians.It's about time for this caribbean nation to have its sovereignty back. Haiti needs some breath!