In 2003, Haiti was experiencing a severe sociopolitical crisis. The Lavalas government and the opposition were at odds. It was in this context that the then American ambassador, Brian Dean Curran, involved in seeking a solution to the crisis and nearing the end of his mission, delivered a farewell speech. This took place on July 9, 2003, during an evening organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AMCHAM). This speech remains relevant as it is still applicable today. The American diplomat had to tell some hard truths to the political class and the men and women of business in the country.<\/p>

Regarding the country's economic situation, he said: “We are in the third year of negative growth, the gourde has dropped by 56% since I arrived here on January 4, 2001; international investment has practically fallen to zero, domestic savings are declining, the budget deficit is 3.25% of GDP for the current fiscal year, profits are declining, bankruptcies are on the rise.” Is this observation not valid for today? <\/p>

His view on justice was no less harsh. “The impunity of criminals is an anchor on the Haitian economy. Secondly, business, commerce also need an independent and strong judicial system and a police force that is neither politicized nor corrupt. When justice is for sale, individual rights suffer.”<\/p>

23 years later, it is the UN Expert Group on Haiti, acting under the resolution 2794 (2025) of the United Nations Security Council, that has presented a damning report on the governance of the country. The report suspects close ties between certain local authorities and gangs. Businessmen, former parliamentarians, candidates for the upcoming elections are accused of being involved in the destabilization of the country by supplying gangs with money or weapons.<\/p>

Once again, justice is in the dock for its passivity in the fight against corruption or its leniency toward people who should have been rendered harmless. The Fils-Aimé administration, which is responsible for organizing elections to hand power back to legitimate authorities, is also under scrutiny. The maintenance of the decree on the high Court of justice is presented as a boost to impunity.<\/p>

23 years separate the speech of Ambassador Brian Dean Curran from the report of the UN experts, but the findings are the same or almost. This is proof that bad governance has a long and enduring life here.