Just like Rangel, former Congressman Conyers fought for Haiti, continuing to preserve its democracy. During his time in Congress, he pushed a bill in 1992 addressing the Haitian refugees crisis, restoring Haiti's government, protecting the status of Haitians and calling for the U.S. president to develop facilities for Haitians seeking refuge in the U.S. Conyers was aware of Haiti's history and believed that Haitians should be able to self-govern their country. In Detroit, he publicly held town halls discussing Haiti's future.
On March 6 this year, OCHA (the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs) released a report revealing 5.5 million Haitians need humanitarian aid and over 300,000 Haitians are displaced from their homes due to the ongoing violence. Over 50,000 Haitians left, attempting to migrate to South American countries or seeking refuge in the U.S in states like New York and Florida.
Haiti has struggled over two centuries to find stability. Snatching its independence from France in 1804 through Toussaint L'Ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines' rebellion, Haiti had erratic governance. Haiti shifted from political instability to U.S. appointed leaders, to military rule, to a 30-year dictatorship and now a hanging republic. Problems such as natural disasters, the 2010 earthquake, a high debt from the French, foreign intervention, overwhelming poverty, poor infrastructure, food insecurity and gang affiliations within the political sphere keep Haiti overwhelmed.
White House National Communications Advisor U.S. Admiral John Kirby spoke on Haiti's situation on March 4: "We urge all actors: Put the people of Haiti first to stop the violence and to make necessary concessions to allow for inclusive governance, free and fair elections, and the restoration of democracy."
Haiti is a national security issue for the U.S as it is a mere 1,889 miles from our shore. It's not an option to solve the problem; it's a mandate for our safety. Haiti's long history of gang affiliation in government must be resolved. Adopting Preval's tranquil but firm strategies from his party would alleviate Haiti's tension. National support has in fact come to Haiti but only at its worst times like the 2010 earthquake.
Now we need humanitarian aid to come first. The UN-backed Kenyan force follows. The people of Haiti are steeped in strong U.S. and CBC support but are regularly betrayed by the nation's own leaders. It's time to turn the tide.
Robert Weiner was a spokesman in the Clinton and George W. Bush White Houses. He was communications director of the House Government Operations Committee, and senior aide to Congressional Black Caucus co-founders Congressmen John Conyers and Charles Rangel, as well as Four-Star General/drug czar Barry McCaffrey, Reps. Claude Pepper and Ed Koch, and Sen. Ted Kennedy. Gene Lambey, is a policy analyst and writer at Robert Weiner Associates and Solution For Change.
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