generalspeaking

Seriously?

Well, blow me down, a new president for benighted Haiti. Could this represent, in the choice made by a large percentage of the electorate yet another natural disaster? Not quite in the class of the January 2010 earthquake of course, but a jarring result nonetheless.

What does this say about Haitians who enthusiastically contemplated electing as their president two entertainers of Haitian renown. Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean who also had presidential aspirations did not qualify, but a carnival music star, Michel Martelly (popularly known as "Sweet Micky" to his legions of fans, did qualify.

And he took the majority vote, handily beating his rival, former first Lady Miriande Manigat, Sorbonne-education aside, experience and qualifications also set aside for the greater appeal of a popular entertainer. The pizazz of the flashy facade wins the golden ring on the carousel that is the Haitian carnival.

Haitians have chosen, in the words of one supporter, the mis-qualified Wyclef Jean "...a clear departure from the status quo ... a man with a vision for the future of Haiti, who listens to young voices". So it will be fascinating to see how his vision for the future of Haiti deals with the million-and-a-half still-homeless after the devastating earthquake.

Already he has made public statements calling for an injection of modernizing foreign investment to bring the moribund Haitian economy to life and begin rebuilding the country. Seeing a future in agriculture and tourism, and proposing to restore Haiti's army. All of which he will accomplish with fresh infusions of international aid.

What remains to be seen is how 'traditional' in the Haitian political sense Sweet Mickey will turn out to be. Which is to say how much of that international aid will actually trickle down to achieve meaningful results for the people of Haiti. And how much will end up sweetening the financial resources of Sweet Mickey.

Cynicism or the reality of the record?

Labels: Haiti, Heritage, Human Fallibility

posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, April 05, 2011