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The people are more aware of their rights, the people are vigilant, watchful of the government’s actions and refuse to be intimidated. 

NB: I began this reflection on Sunday, February 7^th 2021. I finished it tonight a week later Sunday February 14^th.

Sundays are always quieter, but on this particular Sunday, February 7^th, 2021, Port-au-Prince had seemed like a dead city, but with an overall feeling of rage and indignation.

Sunday, February 7^th, 2021 was the end of the constitutional mandate of Jovenel Moïse, as indicated by the Constitution, which the Higher Council of the Judiciary Power, the highest judiciary power of the Country reminds us. Instead of leaving, Jovenel Moïse is still clinging to power, using repression and violence to do so. Delivering a slap in the face of the population, Jovenel Moïse flew Sunday to the town of Jacmel to launch Carnival festivities. 

Very early that very same morning, a friend of mine, the twin brother of a dear very good friend, was arrested along with his wife, a surgeon; along with a Supreme Court Judge, and a woman Director of the National Police. A total of 23 individuals.   The government issued a statement accusing these individuals of conspiracy, declaring that they were planning to overthrow him by a coup. Their photos have been published and circulated on social media, in pajamas, on the floor with their hands handcuffed behind their backs.

It was a sad but decisive day. The population knows it.  Activists are very conscious of the importance of the struggle and they are ready to sacrifice their freedom and their lives. But why should they be forced to do so? The matter of Jovenel Moïse’s legitimacy as head of state is clear. The Haitian Constitution is clear and unambiguous on the duration of his mandate. The foreign powers that have been supporting the regime are also responsible for the degradation of the situation.

It was a dismal but decisive day.  The repression machine was in motion. On January 8^th, Jovenel Moïse published in the official newspaper Le Moniteur a decree announcing the forced retirement of three Supreme Court judges. One of them has been designated by the political opposition to replace Moïse at the end of his mandate. 

Like during the Duvalier era, Haitians are gathering around their radios to know what is going on. Haitians are also still fighting in the streets throughout the country, refusing to abandon the struggle that began long ago. Haitians are fighting for another type of government, a State that will listen to their needs, a government that will not use public money for individual interests.

Haitian children need to eat properly, they need to go to school like other children; they need to live in decent housing. Haitian parents need to be able to take proper care of their families, to educate themselves, to work and live normal lives without fear, without needing to flee their country. Jovenel Moïse wants to remain president even though his mandate is over; however the situation in Haiti has worsened since he came into power. Poverty and unemployment have increased. Repression is commonplace against the opposition and in the poor neighborhoods. Armed gangs have multiplied, committing kidnappings and all sorts of atrocious crimes with impunity. In the past weeks, schoolchildren, teachers, and school principals have been targeted. 

When we flee the country, it is not because we choose to do so

Haitians as a whole love Haiti. When we flee the country, it is not because we choose to do so; it is because we don’t have the choice to do otherwise. Today Jovenel Moïse’s departure should mark the beginning of a new way of life. The beginning of a new type of State. A State aware of the peoples’ struggle and conscious of its responsibilities. A State that will work towards the implementation of a just society where all citizens will feel their needs are taken into account

Sunday was February 7^th, 2021. Thirty-five years ago, on February 7^th, 1986 Jean-Claude Duvalier left the country. He was ousted by the population’s wrath after decades of the Duvalier, dictatorship. The situation was difficult, many Haitian citizens, women and men, died fighting the regime, but we managed to end it.  On February 7^th, 1986 Jean-Claude Duvalier had to leave.

It seems like we are going back in time. Apparently, the government that is no longer constitutional is planning to continue with repression. Exactly like Duvalier used to do. However, History should not move backward. The situation is not the same.  Because the people are more aware of their rights, the people are vigilant, watchful of the government’s actions and refuse to be intimidated. 

I am writing these words with anguish in my heart as I am still awaiting news from my friends and the others’ who were arrested on that fateful Sunday morning. I am writing these words with anger in my heart while police are surrounding my sister-in-law’s school, searching passerby on the pretext of looking for individuals wanted by the authorities. I am writing these words and know that I do not feel safe. I know that citizens in my country do not feel safe. And this should not be.

Today is Sunday February 14^th, 2021. Thousands of Haitians went to the streets of Port-au-Prince to protest against dictatorship. Around me, I saw so many individuals, women and men, young and old, middle-aged, all chanting along and denouncing Jovenel Moise attempts to bypass the Constitution; denouncing also the international community support to a corrupt government. 

Today Sunday, February 14^th, 2021 was a very special Valentine’s Day. Thousands of Haitians went to the streets to show our love for Haiti, to show our willingness to fight for the well-being of our children, for the safety of our families, and for the future of our country.  Most of us had the Blue and Red flag waving with pride and courage.  I came home with my flag, keepsake of a very special day where we showed the world how strongly we feel about our liberty and dignity.

Now, another sad and decisive week begins. The stakes are high and we know it. This is history in the making. And history should not move backwards.

Évelyne Trouillot
Delmas, Haiti
February 7^th14^h, 2021