It is official... Martelly is president! Throughout today, many people were wearing pink in support of their new president (that was his poster color for the election last November). I can't help to be excited for the Haitian people. After many years under a corrupt government and several terrible presidents, the people's choice finally made it into office.
I cautiously say the people's "choice" because of all of the fraud that went into the election and re-election. So many rumors have flown throughout this country about what has happened. Yet, if you are unfamiliar with it, here's a quick run-down of what we hear the most:
Today was President Preval's last day. He became president in 2006 after questionable election results. During his time in office, the country was filled with much tension as he repeatedly refused to listen to his people, poorly handled disaster response after the earthquake, and was accused of embezzling. When this years election came about, he handpicked and supported his protege, Jude Celestin, from his political party. Though the majority of the people were not in support of Celestin, he mysteriously made it into the second-round of elections, beating out 36 other candidates in the prelims.
That is when the protests began in December. The people were outraged... understandably so. The two individuals in the finals were Jude Celestin and Mirlande Manigat, the wife of one of the past presidents and quite possibly the candidate with the most political experience. On the evening of the first round election, both of these were demanding a recount because of all the fraud; but, after the results came out, they changed their minds... hmm....
The #1 success of the people was making the recount happen. The country was in turmoil. It was at this time that I came to Haiti in January. People had just recently stormed the political offices within their cities, and roadblocks were set up any day, anywhere. As people were injured (and some killed), the government finally began to see that they were caught in their deception, and it was going to cause more problems than they could handle.
To still get their way and get Manigat in office (her husband was corrupt as well), it is believed that the government claimed Michel Martelly was in the top 2 thinking that he would never get enough votes in the final election. You see, Martelly was a rap singer in the past and was very controversial because of his onstage behavior. Basically, he was seen as a joke of a candidate, and only received the portion of the votes he did because of his popularity among the young adults. It was thought that those who did not support Martelly would either end up voting for Manigat instead or would not vote at all, insuring that she won with her supporters. But, the people got smart...
Success #2 happened when most Haitians decided to bond together to vote "the joke" into office. And, they did... When the results were announced April 4, there was loud cheering as if the country's soccer team just won the World Cup, and then dancing in the streets continued well into the night. The joy continued to today when Martelly was officially inaugurated into office. If you know Creole, you can listed to his speech here http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2955-haiti-inauguration-first-speech-to-the-nation-of-president-michel-martelly.html :) If not, basically he plans to speed up earthquake reconstruction, improve living conditions in the country side, make schooling free for the public, and create a peacekeeping force so there is no longer a need for UN forces.
Please pray for Haiti. Although electing a former rap singer into office doesn't seem like a step in the right direction, the voice of the people is finally being heard. This next 5 years could bring some promising changes that this country needs.
1 Tim. 2:1-2 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
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