Hait’s new President, Michel Martelly, aka “Sweet Mickey”, took office on May 14th, and is already raising hopes and expectations that, maybe this time, the Haitian people will get the leadership they so desperately need. You have to go back to 1804 to find the last Haitian ruler of any credibility, Toussaint L’Ouverture, who liberated the place from French colonial rule. But a musician? Why not. We’ve tried Men of the Cloth, and Men or the Sword, of course.
A collegue of mine who has worked for many years is optimistic. Martelly’s first picks to his cabinet are reportedly all business people and — get this — honest. As a Peruvian friend of mine once observed of his country’s string of dubious Chief Executives during the run up to a past election: “If he just doesn’t steal, we will be way ahead of the game.”
I will be doing a book signing for Women and Microfinance (WAM) at SAIS this Wednesday at 6:30 pm, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue. Hope to see you there.
Rupert