Haiti re-establishes army after a 2 decade absence

Reuters | Haiti’s president on Saturday heralded the re-establishment of the country’s military after 22 years, a divisive issue in the country which has a history of political instability.

Haiti has been without military forces since 1995, when former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide disbanded the army after returning to power, leaving the national police responsible for security.

The army’s comeback has been a divisive topic in a country still suffering from a catastrophic earthquake and a fierce hurricane in recent years, with critics and activists concerned that armed forces would meddle in politics and rob essential resources from education and health care.

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on Thursday named former army colonel Jodel Lesage as acting commander-in-chief, moving troops closer to full operation. The appointment still needs to be approved by Haiti’s senate.
On Saturday, Moïse welcomed the army’s anticipated return with a parade featuring dozens of soldiers in the northern coastal city of Cap-Haitien, calling on Haitians to recall the Battle of Vertieres won against French colonialists exactly 214 years ago.

“The army is our mother,” he said. “When your mother is sick and wears dirty clothes, you do not kill her. You take her to the hospital. So let us join forces to provide needed care to our mother.”

After Haiti’s independence, the military mounted dozens of coups and its forces were accused of rampant human rights abuses.
Moïse acknowledged that history, but vowed that the new military would be different.

Haitian defense minister Herve Denis told reporters that the army will begin with 500 soldiers in engineering, medical and aviation corps, but is still working to fill its ranks.

Denis said the government plans to ultimately expand to 5,000 troops working to protect Haitian borders, fight terrorism, curb illegal trade and aid Haitians affected by natural disasters.