Africa - Haiti Observer Blog

Hi folks do not keep your hope too high about Haiti becoming a member of the African Union. it will not happen. The spokesman of the Presidency of the African Union, Jacob Enoh Eben just announced that. Haiti can not be admitted as a member into the African Union. This information circulating in the media that Haiti's admission would be formalized in July, "this information is wrong", said the spokesman. Haiti maintain its observer status; however only African States may join as full members of the African Union..

What do you think?

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In the next summit of the regional organization in June in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, Haiti, the first black republic in the world history, will officially become a member of the African Union (AU). With this admittance, Haiti will be the only first member nation with no geographical connection to join the continent! Although Haiti is geographically disconnected with the region, it shares some political and cultural ties with Africa and the union could be of mutual benefit to the two. Most Haitians look distinctively West African; their Creole dialects are often close translations of African languages into English or French. Haitian national dishes are barely changed versions of African food (compare Ghana's "waakye" to Nevis's "cook-up"). Even their level of poverty is very similar to many African nations than their wealthier Caribbean neighbors.

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Haiti will officially move from a simple observer, to become a full member partner of the African Union. This is scheduled to take place at their next summit of the regional organization in June.

Accepting the Caribbean country of Haiti as a member of the African Union is the first of its kind for a diaspora country and it will be a way of recognizing all the efforts made by Haiti in the past to the advent of free African States,

It will be formalized at the next AU summit in June-July in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. Former Haitian President, Michel Martelly, is expected to be present.

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Convergent histories aren't the only things that Haiti shares with the nations of the African Union. There is also a similar outlook for the future regarding their countries. It is this current and future point of synchronicity that Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe wished to capitalize on when he participated in the Assembly of the African Union's 22nd Ordinary Session.

Fresh off his part in the Economic Forum's 44th session in Davos, Lamothe flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the AU meeting held from January 28 to 31, 2014. With the aim of the meeting being to hold talks on issues such as the security of food and agriculture, peace, the security of Africa and international trade, Lamothe found himself in a good position as observer of the meeting to glean new ideas and discuss possible partnerships to better aid Haiti.

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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, popularly referred to as Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July 1918 in South Africa's Transkei. He was the son of Tembu Tribe's chief Henry Mandela. He studied in College of Fort Hare and University of Witwatersrand. In 1942, he attained his law degree. In 1944 he joined the African National Congress and joined in a resistance in 1948 against apartheid policies of the then ruling National Party. During 1956-1961, he was held on trial for treason but in 1961 he was acquitted.

Newsmaker Interview: Nelson Mandela, 1990

In 1960 when ANC was banned, Mandela proposed a military wing in ANC. In 1961 however, this proposal was considered to be a violent tactic and yet allowed the willing members of ANC to join Neslon Mandela's proposal without any fear. As a result, Umkhonto we Sizwe was formed. Mandela was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment with hard labor for a period of 5 years. In 1963 several Umkhonto we Sizwe and ANC fellow members were arrested and Mandela was once again charged for plotting the overthrow of the ruling party/government by using violence. In 1964, Mandela along with 7 others was sent for life imprisonment.

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Haitian Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe continued the recent spate of travel for Government Officials and Ministers, as they seek international aid and investment to support Haiti's struggling economy. Serving in his stead was Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin, who acted as Prime Minister until Lamothe returned.

A day after President Michel Martelly left the island, the Prime Minister left for the West African nation of the Ivory Coast to seek integration for Haiti into the African Union; his office's official statement being that he would be discussing 'potential cooperation between the two countries'. This came after a busy month spent visiting other Caribbean Islands, South America and the United States.

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Jeux dangereux or Dangerous Game and Le chauffeur or Driver, are the two Haitian films that were officially selected (category Diaspora) for 23rd Pan-African Film & TV Festival of Ouagadougou (aka FESPACO or Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou), 2013 that was held during 23rd February till 2nd March 2013 in Burkina Faso of West Africa. Antoine Boseny directed Jeux dangereux while Le chauffeur's director was Jean-Claude Bourjolly.

The finalists for category Diaspora were selected by the jury members Carlos Aguilar from Panama, Asha Lovelace of Trinidad & Tobago, Tanya Valette from Dominican Republic, Beti Ellerson from United States of America and Arnold Antonin from Haiti. Arnold Antonin is himself a filmmaker who won three Prix Paul Robeson of Best Film award at African Diaspora FESPACO in the years 2007, 2009 and 2011.

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In the objective to support the Haitian Voodoo, Haitian President Michel Martelly visited three "Lakous" in the Artibonite Department on january 13, 2013: Lakou Souvenance, Lakou Soukri Danach, Lakou Badjo.

Martelly conducted the visits with an initiative coming from Culture Minister, Mario Dupuy. He entered inside of the Peristile of Souvenance with a Candle and a cup filled with water and and proceed to do the ritual called "Jete Dlow". The Haitian President received the benediction of the Haitian Voodoo priests or as they are called Houngan.

What is Souvenance?
Souvenance is one of lakous in the Artibonite region that are known for keeping a specific African Voodoo traditions. Lakou Souvenance celebrates the lwas originated from Daome which is called Benin today. Lakou Soukri Danach is known for celebrating the African Kongo tradition. Lakou Badjo has kept the Nago tradition of Yoruba.

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