Martelly Military - Haiti Observer Blog

In an attempt to alleviate at least some of the trepidation expressed by Haitian citizens upon learning of the secret training underwent by 41 of the country's brightest in Ecuador, and their return to possibly create a new Haitian army, Minister of Defense, Jean Rodolphe Joazile announced on Wednesday October 9th that the returning young people, including 30 soldier-technicians and 11 officer-engineers, were not part of a new army, but a new Civil Defense Force.

According to the Defense Minister, there is a need for the force within the country, as such, 40 additional young people will journey away from Haiti by the end of the year for civil engineering military training. It is part of a three year plan to implement a complete Civil Defense Force.

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After so many speculations. After so many names mentioned to be on the list of termination in the Government of Laurent Lamothe, the decision has been made. After being in power for just over a year and a half. The Martelly presidency obviously has not been working to the satisfaction of the president.

As a result, some heads have to roll!

Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe gave the news about the reshuffling of his ministerial Cabinet via Twitter. The new members of his cabinet include:

Bernice Fidelia who replaces Daniel Supplice as minister for Haitians Living Abroad. She recently occupied the position of liaison with the Haitian diaspora.

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With the brutal military regime over for more than a decade and Haiti successfully transitioned into a democratic nation, President Michel Martelly is planning to create a new Haitian army to replace the U.N. troops. The president, along with the country's Defense Minister Rodolphe Joazile, has recently been able to convince neighboring countries' Brazil and Ecuador in helping on the cause. The two nations both agreed to assist Haiti by providing military training, equipment, and engineering.

Haiti's military was notorious for human rights violations and bloodshed in the 1900s. It had a strong involvement and influence in the country's politics, having the capability to overthrow presidents and government officials. One of the bloodiest movements led by the military was the 1991 coup d'état in order to remove then President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from office. It took three years of bloodshed between the military and Aristide's supporters before the United States intervened and put the Aristide back as Haiti's head of state. With the help of the U.S. and the United Nations, the government was finally able to disband the military in 1995. The country has since been protected by the U.N.'s peacekeeping force.

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On Thursday, July 26, 2012, the Brazilian Minister for Defense announced his government's decision of helping Haiti to form a permanent defense force. Speaking on that day, Celso Amorim said that his government is determined to train a Haitian defense force that would take over after the UN withdrew its peace keeping mission in the country. He said that Brazil would be sending a military mission which will be determined to help Haiti. Celso Amorim was accompanied by his Haitian counterpart Jean Rodolphe Joazile while he was making this statement. The minister said that the government of Haiti had asked Brazil for help and pledged to cooperate in all manners.

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The worry I have in my heart is more than words can express. I am deeply troubled by something that every Haitian who is protected by the constitution should be fretting about. How is it possible for armed men in new uniforms, so called demobilized soldiers, be running all over Haiti occupying strategic places in this country while we just watch as if there is no imminent security threat?

Poze Pitit!

These men claim to be demobilized soldiers. President Martelly and his government are yet to act, but before he does one or several Haitians could die in cold blood from the shots of firearm.

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One more blow for President Michel Martelly's plan to reinstate the Haitian Army. In a letter sent to the president by Fmr. Costa Rica President Nobel laureate Oscar Arias, he advised the president not to restore the disbanded Haitian army, saying that historically most armies are enemies of development, enemies of peace and enemies of freedom.

This can't be a good sign!

In the two page letter, Former Costa Rica president said instead, the $25 million Martelly has proposed for the new military should be invested in education, health and strengthening other institutions.

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When you can't pick up the bill, you have to be satisfied with what is given to you. That is the case in Haiti. Canada is the latest member of the international community not to agree with the idea that Haiti should have a military force at this time. A spokesman for Canadian Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy, stated in an email to The Associated Press that because of the difficult condition of the Haitian population, it is not the right time to talk about a new military force.

Me Zanmi Koze pa pou wou, Ou Kon Tande ou pa gin Lajan min ouap fe Lwa

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From what the "Haitian Joudalist" heard recently, not too good. The idea of creating a new army in Haiti sounds good. However, the actual result might be devastating.

To combat crime and to protect our border, President Michel Martelly is proposing the formation of a new Haitian army. As you may remember, the old Haitian army (Force Arme D'Haiti, FADH) was disbanded in 1994 by former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Many people would say that the old Haitian army has been used against the Haitian people as an instrument of repression. They committed some of the worst human rights violations in recent memory.

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It has been reported that President Michel Martelly has a plan to restore the Haitian Military to replace the U.N. Peacekeeping force. The plan calls for $95 million to train and equip the new Military force of 3,500 soldiers. According to the Associated Press who obtained the document from a Haitian official,

The Haitian government reported that one of the objective of the new Military force is to patrol the border with the Dominican Republic, now frequently used by drug traffickers and for other types of smuggling. The plan has a target date from November to January to conduct the first class of troops recruited

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