What's Up Little Haiti

Haitian officials refuse to attend Abinader’s inauguration amid airspace dispute, stoking diplomatic tensions

Haitian officials denounce Dominican airspace restrictions calling for equal treatment for all citizens

by Jose FlécherAug. 15, 2024

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Haitian authorities will not attend Dominican President Luís Abinader's inauguration due to ongoing airspace restrictions imposed by the Dominican Republic on Haiti. This decision comes amid long-standing diplomatic tensions between the neighboring countries that have once again come to the forefront.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Haitian government has announced it will not attend the inauguration of Dominican President Luís Abinader on Aug. 16 in response to the Dominican Republic’s recent measures to unilaterally close the airspace between the two nations. This move is the latest in a series of actions that add to the ongoing strain in the historically troubled relationship between the two neighboring countries, contributing to a complex diplomatic situation.

“The prime minister and the president of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) will not participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Dominican president,” Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique Dupuy confirmed to The Haïtian Times in a telephone conversation. She did not make any further comment about the government’s decision.

Dupuy’s chief of staff, Winnie Hugo Gabriel, said Thursday that the Haitian consul in the Dominican Republic, Christine Lamothe, will attend the ceremony instead.

The latest measures by the Dominican Republic have resurfaced, directly impacting the participation of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and members of the CPT at the inauguration of Abinader, who was elected for a second term. Closed for security reasons since late February, the Dominican authorities have refused to lift restrictions on flights from Haiti. This stance has significantly influenced the Haitian government’s decision to decline the DR government’s invitation. The resulting backlash exacerbated an already strained relationship and fueled further the long-standing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Dominican Chancellor Roberto Alvarez has refuted claims of the airspace closure between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, asserting in a recent tweet that Haitian airspace remains open for officials and humanitarian flights but that it remains closed to commercial flights for security reasons.

 “ I added that for security reasons, the airspace between #RepDom and #Haiti remains closed for commercial flights but not for official, humanitarian, or similar flights. In addition, I asked our ambassador to Haiti to visit the Haitian Foreign Ministry and reiterate this,” Alvarez said on his  X account. “There is no overflight obstacle whatsoever that impedes the Haitian authorities from attending President Abinader’s inauguration. It would have been a unique opportunity to start the dialogue with the transitional government.”

A source close to the CPT President Edgard Leblanc, who requested anonymity, also confirmed to The Haitian Times that the refusal to attend Abinader’s inauguration is linked with the ongoing closure of the airspace between the two countries.

“The prime minister and the president of the presidential transitional council will not participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Dominican president.” Dominique Dupuy, Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

The decision has caused discontent on the other side of the island. Dominican officials, including Foreign Minister Alvarez, have made several attempts to clarify the situation by referencing a conversation he had with Minister Dupuy, suggesting that the issue might be more complex than it appears on the surface. 

“On August 1, during a phone conversation with the Haitian Chancellor, she inquired whether it was necessary to lift the airspace closure so they could attend President Abinader’s inauguration. I assured her that any flight request from Haitian authorities would be immediately authorized, just like those of other invited dignitaries,” the Dominican Chancellor shared on his X account.

However, the Dominican authorities are holding firm on their decision to keep the airspace closed, offering instead to open a specific air corridor for official flights. This would allow Haitian dignitaries to attend President Abinader’s inauguration, a move seen as a diplomatic snub in Haiti. 

The position has sparked significant backlash, with Foreign Minister Dupuy emphasizing that any request for reopening must apply to all citizens without exception. She asserted that Haitian authorities should not benefit from privileges that are not extended to the Haitian people.

This diplomatic impasse follows heightened tensions triggered by the construction of a canal on the Haïtian side of the Massacre River, which led to Dominican President Abinader taking different measures to force Haïtians to suspend work, including the closure of the Dominican borders in September last year. Air travel to and from Haiti was forced to be suspended due to the escalation of gang violence in Port-au-Prince on February 29. While other countries resumed services, the Dominican Republic maintained the airspace restriction. 

Haitians on social media reacted positively to Minister Dupuy’s stance applauding her for finally showing that the Haitian government is taking a firm position against the Dominican authorities. Legal experts have also weighed on the issue analyzing the broader implications of the Haïtian government’s response to the Dominican Republic action.

“The government’s decision is an exemplary demonstration of the sovereignty of the Haitian State under international law because, by refusing to subordinate the reopening of the airspace, it relies on Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which recognizes the principle of equal sovereignty of states,” said a former Croix-des-Bouquets substitute for the government commissioner who requested anonymity.

Reacting to Dupuy’s comment that authorities should not benefit from privileges not extended to the Haitian people, the former government substitute said that by taking this stance, Haitian authorities are rejecting a privilege denied to the broader population. He referenced Article 1.2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which, he emphasized, prohibits discrimination in the enjoyment of rights and freedoms.

Teachers familiar with the history of both countries have pointed out that this moment could set a precedent for how Haiti navigates its relationship with its neighbor moving forward.

“The refusal to go is a step. But I expect much more from the country’s authorities,” says Gérard Duclos, a history teacher at several schools in the Haitian capital. He further criticizes the situation, noting that while the airspace is closed, Dominican army helicopters continue to fly between the Dominican Republic and the Dominican embassy in Port-au-Prince without any control.

“The authorities at the highest level of the State must address this anomaly with urgency,” he concludes.

Twenty-four hours before the inaugural ceremony, the Haitian government has not officially confirmed whether the Charge d’Affaires in the Dominican Republic will attend the event.

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Carl Fombrun left us

Carl Fombrun left us, at the ripe age of 92, today 8/13/2024.

A great soul, a generous heart, a consumate relationist and conversationalist who has stories after stories to share with friends, his public and the world. Haitian politics, the Kennedys, MLK, life in Cuba, Brazil or the USA…

It was a privilege to have known him both as a guest (Kendall, FL) and as a host (Norwood, MA). What a memorable trip with him in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to visit his former Catholic High School, Mount St. Charles, 60 years later in 2011.

As we process the loss, he sure would insist that we remember him in a celebratory mode, with joy, fine wine, and good memories. We will try Carl, we will try. With respect and affection...

Evangéline and Charlot Lucien

Haiti’s Future Depends on Our Unity: A Call to Action for the Haitian Diaspora

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In the face of ongoing challenges, one truth becomes increasingly clear: Haiti’s path to renewal lies in the hands of its people, both at home and abroad. As members of the Haitian diaspora, we carry within us the resilience, creativity, and passion that have defined our nation since its revolutionary birth. Today, more than ever, it is imperative that we overcome our divisions and unite in purpose to foster a brighter future for Haiti.

Haiti’s history is a testament to the extraordinary things we can achieve when united. On August 14th, 1791, our ancestors overcame the barriers of language, tribalism, and religion to create a path for unity towards a common cause. They shattered the chains of slavery and colonialism, creating the world’s first black republic. This legacy of strength and determination flows in our veins, waiting to be channeled towards Haiti’s renaissance.

However, division has too often held us back. Political disagreements, regional, social and class differences, and conflicting visions have fragmented our efforts, diluting our potential impact. Many inside and abroad have used our internal fights for their selfish interests against our nation. It is time for all of us who have been standing on the sidelines to get involved. Haiti will not change without the involvement of all of us. But we need to be smart.

Only Haitians Can Truly Solve Haiti’s Challenges

While international aid and support have their place, the lasting solutions to Haiti’s challenges must come from Haitians themselves. We understand the nuances of our culture, the complexities of our society, and the depth of our potential in ways no outside entity ever could.

Our diaspora, spread across the globe, represents an incredible reservoir of talent, expertise, and resources. We have doctors, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and artists who have achieved success in various fields. Imagine the transformation we could foster if we pooled this collective knowledge and experience towards Haiti’s development.

The Urgent Need for an International Diaspora Network

The time has come for us to build a robust, international network of Haitian professionals, faith-based leaders, educators, and social activists. This network would serve as a platform for:

1. Defining a vision for Haiti as a land of freedom for all in the world
2. Knowledge sharing and collaboration
3. Coordinated investment in Haiti’s infrastructure and economy
4. Mentorship programs connecting diaspora experts with Haitian youth
5. Advocacy for policies that support Haiti’s development
6. Preservation and promotion of Haitian culture globally

Let’s acknowledge that many networks already exist. We can create an overall umbrella for all those networks on a common platform that we will need to define around peace, security, and education for all.

Finding Common Ground

To build this network, we must find common ground. Despite our differences, we all share a love for Haiti and a desire to see it thrive. Let this be the foundation upon which we build our unity.

We must engage in open, respectful dialogue on the deeper reasons for our division: respect for all Haitians, from the city and the countryside, respect for all skin colors, respect for all social classes. We need to learn how to see other Haitians, removing the sequels of colonial history that make us judge all other Haitians. Our fundamental problem is how we see each other. We are the only ones who can understand and overcome our differences.

One of the first common goals is the restoration of Haitian History as the beacon for liberty and equity in this modern world. We must elevate what Haitians have done for the new world and understand that all ideas of human rights, liberty, and equity pass through Haiti. Haiti is the first inequity outcome in the world. Many major nations of today have taken advantage of Haiti: France, Spain, England, Germany, USA, to cite the obvious ones.

We can also find common ground on education: connect Haiti with the most advanced education systems in the world through access to technology, curriculum development, and practical learning for all, from the countryside to the cities, from the mountains to the valleys. Finding a common platform for education transcends our differences. We have proven to the world how smart Haitians can be. Let’s find common ground to have a revolution of education in Haiti for all.

We can find common ground for community engagement, peace for all, and the like. No country can overcome its differences without a common vision. Rwanda is our most pressing example.

A Call to Action

To my fellow Haitian professionals, faith leaders, educators, and activists: the time for action is now. Haiti needs our unity, our expertise, and our unwavering commitment. We salute all who have been in this fight for their entire lives. The time has come today to self-examine and re-engage, following the wisdom of many countries that have surmounted numerous obstacles. Let’s agree on a vision: “An nou tounen lakay 2050” (Let’s return home by 2050).

The evidence is clear: “The neighbor never comes to clean home for you”. We must be the ones doing this work. We must learn to see Haitians with a new look, a look of pride, a look of love, a look of togetherness. We must understand that we are not individually responsible for our internal fights and our differences. Our social fabric of distrust and survival instinct from slavery have conditioned us for individualism and not for collective action. We must reinvent a social fabric of trust, without which no progress is possible.

The challenges facing Haiti are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By uniting the strengths of our diaspora, we can create a powerful force for positive change. Our diversity, when harmonized, becomes our greatest asset.

Let us honor the legacy of our ancestors by coming together, transcending our differences, and working tirelessly for Haiti’s renaissance. The future of our beloved nation depends on our unity. Together, we can restore Haiti as a beacon of freedom, creativity, and prosperity in the world.

The time is now. Let us unite for Haiti. Please join us on August 24th for a special dialogue on organizing the Haitian Diaspora. Follow this link: Rekonekte pou Haiti