Jean Casimir "The Haitian Crisis in Historical Perspective (1804-2004)" April 19, 2004

photo courtesy of and © Tino Soriano

Jean Casimir was the Haitian Ambassador to the United States from 1991-96. He played a key role in the negotiations to restore Haiti’s democratically-elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to power in 1991. He later broke with Aristide, and today is an important member of the democratic opposition.

Co-sponsored with the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Jean Casimir, former Haitian Ambassador to the United States, spoke about the history of Haiti's complex political crisis in the Women's Faculty Club on April 19.

The Future of Haitian Democracy
By Adam Raney

In a rapid-fire speech that covered more than 200 years of history, Jean Casimir, the former Haitian ambassador to the United States, analyzed how Haiti can pull itself out of its current political and economic crisis. He focused on the importance of returning to the 19th century style of democracy that governed Haiti between 1804 and 1915, a time during which regional leaders shared power through transparent negotiations with Parliament in Port-au-Prince.

Although the former ambassador acknowledged that there were many generals who led the country from 1804-1915, he maintained that a healthy democracy was in place throughout this extensive period. This was the golden age of Haitian democracy — an era of innovation — which ended in 1915 when the United States sent in the Marines and took over Haiti’s administration.

During the 19th century, “parliament was where you negotiated power,” Casimir explained. Negotiation was fundamental, since the country was ruled by regional strongmen. This was not yet a fully developed form of representative democracy, but it was a good foundation for Haiti to build on at that time.

Casimir suggested that Haitians look to their past for their democratic future. In his judgement, Haiti today must look within the country for answers instead of looking for outside investment. On this matter, he had harsh words for Aristide whom he believes led the country into the worst political crisis in its history.

Once a supporter and Aristide government official, Casimir has become not only an outspoken critic but an important member of the democratic opposition. While at Berkeley, he compared Aristide’s version of populism to clientelism, a system in which Aristide provided political or economic favors for groups who supported him at the ballot box or with force on the street.

Casimir also accused the exiled president of controlling the media and ignoring the opposition. Aristide’s primary concern during his exile in the U.S. after the 1991 coup was negotiating with foreign powers and investors while paying little attention to Haitian groups.

Perhaps the strongest indictment of Aristide made by Casimir was that Aristide was worse for Haiti than the Duvaliers, the infamous father and son dictators who led the country from 1957-86. “Even Duvalier had a proposal; Aristide was going nowhere,” Casimir said. These are strong words considering that the Duvaliers are accused of tens of thousands of politically motivated killings throughout their 29 years of rule.

Casimir admits that it will be very tough for Haiti to overcome its current situation and successfully build a healthy democracy and vibrant economy. For decades, Haiti has been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Almost half of the population is unemployed and about 80 percent live in poverty. In addition Haiti leads the Americas in AIDS, malnutrition and infant mortality. There is still widespread unrest throughout the country; many Haitians walk the streets of towns and cities armed for protection and/or attack, as political power is often possessed by those with the arms to seize it.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to Casimir’s point of view is the current president’s lack of legitimacy. President Boniface Alexandre came to power following the exile of Aristide, who left the country on Feb. 29, 2004. It is still unclear whether Aristide chose to leave of his own volition or was forced out. Much of the Haitian government’s legitimacy depends on how the current leaders and the U.S. are perceived to be acting and in whose best interests.

Still, Casimir is hopeful that positive change is possible.

He suggested that if Haiti focused on educating its people with virtual universities and new styles of education that a new generation of leaders could take the country forward into the 21st century.

Jean Casimir was the Haitian Ambassador to the United States from 1991-99. He spoke at Berkeley on April 19 at an event co-sponsored by CLAS and the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Adam Raney is a graduate student in the Latin American Studies and Journalism Program

Ambassador Casimir argued that the current crisis, engendered by the removal of Jean-Bertrand Aristide from the presidency, is in part a consequence of the outside world's ignorance of the intricacies of Haitian political history.
Ambassador Casimir speaks with Professor Ramon Grosfoguel (right) and a student following the event.