Kenneth Merten - Haiti Observer Blog

State Department Special Coordinator for Haiti, Kenneth Merten. Haiti's recent parliamentary elections were beset with random episodes of violence at the polls. There was vandalism, looting, and gunfire at some polling stations. Many political parties have criticized the Provisional Electoral Council (PEC), in particular, for being behind the disturbances with the motive of trying to keep citizens from voting, or to getting them to vote for certain candidates by offering bribes to them.

The Obama government sent State Department Special Coordinator to Haiti, Kenneth Merten, to consult with various political players. The U.S. wants Merten to stress to electoral participants elections must be fair and inclusive, and follow the PEC's calendar. Because of weak voter turnout, 18% by PEC's reckoning and 4-5% by electoral observers, political parties are demanding cancellation of the first round of parliamentary elections. They are also asking for PEC President, Pierre Louis Opont, to be ousted and a provisional government take charge of elections.

Read more →  

Do you remember former Ambassador of the United States in Haiti between 2009 and 2012? He is back as he has been nominated to replace Thomas Adams as the new Special Coordinator for Haiti at the State Department. On Monday, August 17, the former Ambassador of the United States in Haiti, Kenneth H. Merten, will officially take office in Haiti as Special Coordinator for Haiti at the State Department.

Eske ou sonje ansyen Anbasadè nan peyi Etazini an Ayiti ant 2009 ak 2012?

Kenneth H. Merten tounen pou ranplase Thomas Adams kòm nouvo Koòdonatè Espesyal pou Ayiti nan Depatman Deta a . Nan Lendi, 17 Out, ansyen Anbasadè nan peyi Etazini an Ayiti, Kenneth H. Merten , pral ofisyèlman pran biwo an Ayiti kòm Koòdonatè espesyal pou Ayiti nan Depatman Deta.

Read more →  

What is going on? Wasn't the decision for President Michel Martelly to finally give his passport as proof that he is in fact a Haitian citizen take care of any doubt? What is the deal with November 21, 2007?

On Thursday, President Michel Martelly accompanied by representatives of several religious groups in Haiti and by U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten, made a public presentation to the press of 8 passports. President Michel Martelly hoped that these passports given to the Haitian senate for verification would put the question about his nationality to rest once and for all.

Read more →  

In a move that seems shocking and unpredictable, President Barack Obama has nominated Ambassador Pamela Ann White, a career diplomat to replace the current U.S. Ambassador Kenneth H. Merten. To take effect, the nomination has to be approved by the U.S. Senate. This was announced on Monday, January 23, 2012.

"The Real power player"

Pamela Ann White currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Gambia. Prior to that, she worked for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) where she was Mission Director in Liberia, Tanzania, and Mali. From 1999 to 2001, Pamela Ann White served as USAID's Deputy Director for East Africa. She also held a number of overseas positions with USAID, including: Executive Officer in Senegal, Haiti, Egypt and South Africa and Community Liaison Officer in Burkina Faso.

Read more →