Haiti’s New Government: Real Change?

Haiti has a new government, but new Prime Minister Ceant’s meetings with the IMF and World Bank do not predict major political or economic shifts. Ceant needs to clear the air on corruption scandals so he can gain the support needed to put Haiti back on the path to sovereignty. 

After Haiti’s government announced a sudden increase of fuel prices in early July, violent protests erupted across the country of almost 11 million. Following the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund(IMF), the Haitian government attempted to put an end to gas subsidies to increase state revenues. After a week of popular protests, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant resigned. A few days later, on July 17, Haitian President Jovenel Moise named Port-au-Prince lawyer Jean-Henry Ceant as his new Prime Minister, leaving many Haitians wondering if Ceant will bring the change the nation is desperate for. Continue reading