Afrocentricity International neither mourns nor celebrates his death. Instead, we see his death as an opportunity to take stock of the legacy his reign has left behind, as well as an opportunity to challenge the current government to live up to its obligation to uphold human rights in Haiti and ensure justice for the Haitian people.
Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when, in 1971, he took over the presidency after the death of his father, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. Initial hopes that Jean-Claude Duvalier would depart from the brutal reign of his father were quickly dashed as he continued the authoritarian rule underpinned by the murderous secret police, the Tontons Macoutes. It is estimated that between 20,000 to 30,000 Haitians were killed by this secret paramilitary force during the reign of both father and son. Jean-Claude Duvalier’s rule was marred by ubiquitous corruption and human rights abuses that prompted more than 100,000 Haitians to flee the country. For a country of about 11 million, it is currently estimated that 1 million Haitians live abroad, due largely to the brutality and legacy of the Duvalier governments.
As the president of the so-called poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, Jean-Claude Duvalier lived lavishly while in function. His wedding in 1980 is estimated to have cost 5 million dollars, news of which trickled down to the masses and was one of the seeds of his eventual downfall. Upon his exile in 1986, Jean-Claude Duvalier held $200 million to $500 million in foreign bank accounts, and was living a luxurious life in France. The 29- year rule of the Duvaliers failed to build and maintain a workable infrastructure and establish institutional governmental norms that would facilitate a state apparatus to address the needs of the people. Rather Jean Claude Duvalier’s rule led to a nation operated by NGOs. By 2010 several sources have estimated Haiti to have over 10,000 NGOs (second only to Afghanistan).
Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti soon after the earthquake of 2010. He claimed to have returned as a gesture of reconciliation and solidarity with the nation. Afrocentricity International, however, believes words of reconciliation and solidarity are empty gestures without true justice. Since his return, Duvalier has faced numerous sham court proceedings meant to quell calls for reparation and justice by the thousands of people tortured and whose family members were killed under his rule. He was often spotted at some of Port-au-Prince’s most posh restaurants or at the homes of Haiti’s economic elite. The current government of Michel “Sweet Mickey” Martelly has populated his government with Duvalier supporters while Martelly himself held company frequently with the former dictator. The tacit, and not so subtle message, was that Duvalier had the support of the current government while enjoying the comfortable life he was accustomed to when he was head of state.
In stark contrast to the support the murderous Duvalier has received from the State, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide - a man who has dedicated his life to people of Haiti, and is currently working to establish a medical school in Haiti - is under constant threat of legal prosecution on false charges from the Martelly government. His detailed security force, a service provided to all former presidents, has mysteriously disappeared, setting the ground for what many believe is a possible assassination attempt. In response, hundreds of people have surrounded Aristide’s house saying, in effect, “We will protect Aristide if the state fails to do its job.” The truth is that Martelly and his minions are fearful of what Aristide and his Lavalas party represent, as they are keenly aware that Lavalas is still a political force to contend with in Haiti. Indeed, Martelly was elected president through a US supported process, where the majority of the voting public boycotted because Lavalas and its political candidates were barred from participation.
As Afrocentricity International reflects upon the death of Jean-Claude Duvalier, let us thus not lose sight of the battle that our brothers and sisters in Haiti are still fighting against the forces of Western Hegemony. Afrocentricity International is therefore urging all of its international chapters on every continent to mark the death of Jean Claude Duvalier as the turning of a page in the battle against western hegemony and corrupt African leadership. The Duvaliers have gone the way of Mobutu Sese Seko or Félix Houphouët-Boigny, heads of states who left little behind but memories of oppression. We therefore stand firmly and ask the Haitian people to continue to support justice, freedom, peace, and Maat! Herekh! Herekh! Unity is our Aim, Victory is our Destiny!
Afrocentricity International
Philadelphia Division
