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  January 2: A Call to Honor Our Ancestors Beyond the Cult of Personality By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Haiti’s January 2, celebrated as the "Jour des Aïeux" (Day of the Ancestors), stands as a solemn reminder of the collective struggle and triumph of our forebears. Yet, as we commemorate this day, it is imperative to move beyond the cult of personality and embrace a collective vision that honors the contributions of all who fought for Haiti’s independence. The victories of 1804 were not the result of one man’s heroism alone, but of a unified effort by countless Haitians, from generals to maroons, who gave their lives for freedom. The Evolution of January 2 Originally established as a national holiday to honor Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the Day of the Ancestors evolved in 1904 during Haiti’s centennial celebrations. Under the leadership of President Nord Alexis, the day was redefined to commemorate all those who had fought for independence. As histori...

 Haiti’s 1803 Proclamation Revisited: Diplomacy, Defiance, and Lessons for a 'complot des gens de bien'? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le francais suit) Haiti’s Proclamation of Independence, signed on November 29, 1803, at Fort-Dauphin, marked a defining moment in world history. As the first nation founded by former enslaved people, Haiti’s leaders—Dessalines, Christophe, and Clervaux—declared their unyielding determination to break free from French colonial rule. However, this historic document’s tone and strategic decisions have sparked centuries of debate [1,2]. Was it a pragmatic masterstroke to secure Haiti’s survival, as librarian Patrick Tardieu suggests [2], or a missed opportunity to set a firm precedent of justice and sovereignty? And what lessons can it teach us in today’s Haiti, mired in crises of governance, security, and sovereignty? A Document Torn Between Defiance and Pragmatism The Proclamation is a study in duality. On one hand, it delivers an unrelenting ...

  Unlocking Haiti's Political Stalemate: CARICOM Missions and the Quest for an Agreement By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson     (Le français suit) Introduction: Haiti, a nation entangled in an enduring political stalemate, finds itself once again at a crossroads. The recent conclusion of the fourth CARICOM mission, marked by the failure of political actors to forge an agreement, highlights the profound challenges that have rooted the country in a prolonged state of uncertainty. In this essay, we delve into the complex issues contributing to the political deadlock in Haiti, drawing insights from the "L'Appel du Lambi" Manifesto and considering the implications of the recent CARICOM missions. Historical Shadows: To decipher the present, one must scrutinize the historical shadows cast over the Haitian landscape. The nation's narrative, a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, struggles for freedom, and recurring political turbulence, shapes its current dil...

  Unlocking Haiti's Political Stalemate: CARICOM Missions and the Quest for an Agreement By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le français suit) Introduction: Haiti, a nation entangled in an enduring political stalemate, finds itself once again at a crossroads. The recent conclusion of the fourth CARICOM mission, marked by the failure of political actors to forge an agreement, highlights the profound challenges that have rooted the country in a prolonged state of uncertainty. In this essay, we explore the complex issues contributing to the political deadlock in Haiti, drawing insights from the "L'Appel du Lambi" Manifesto and considering the implications of the recent CARICOM missions. Historical Shadows: To decipher the present, one must scrutinize the historical shadows cast over the Haitian landscape. The nation's narrative, a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, struggles for freedom, and recurring political turbulence, shapes its current dilemma and the...