When Will Partial Senate, Municipal, and Local Elections Be Held?

by Francklyn B. Geffrard

The Jun. 19 telephone conversation between Haitian President Michel Martelly and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden seems to have had some impact on the behavior of the Haitian regime. Previously, the government was basically silent on the question of elections. But following Biden’s phone call, the organization of municipal, local, and partial Senate elections seems to suddenly have become a priority for the government. However, the Martelly government pointedly failed to mention in its official announcement about the conversation that Washington had encouraged it to hold elections before the end of this year. What a paradox!

Who Is Afraid of Elections?

by Yves Pierre-Louis

Since the formation of an electoral body known as the Transitional College for the Permanent Electoral Council (CTCEP), the administration of President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has not shown any real willingness to advance the process that would allow, in an acceptable time-frame, elections for Senate seats and for local authorities.

Reconstruction of Massive Slum Will Cost “Hundreds Of Millions”

by Haiti Grassroots Watch

Three years after its star-studded launch by President René Préval, actor Sean Penn and various other Haitian and foreign dignitaries, the model camp for Haiti’s 2010 earthquake victims has helped give birth to what might become the country’s most expansive – and most expensive – slum.

Food Aid Reform Becomes More Urgent as Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Increase

by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

The Associated Press’ Trenton Daniel takes a look at high levels of malnutrition and food insecurity in Haiti, reporting that: “Three years after an earthquake killed hundreds of thousands and the U.S. promised that Haiti would ‘build back better,’ hunger is worse than ever. Despite billions of dollars from around the world pledged toward rebuilding efforts, the country's food problems underscore just how vulnerable its 10 million people remain.

Dissatisfaction Growing with the Martelly-Lamothe Government

by Thomas Péralte (Haiti Liberte)

In recent months, demonstrations have erupted in different parts of Haiti demanding electricity, river dredging, road and bridge construction, support for farmers, and the building of schools and hospitals.