LITTLE HAITI — On July 22, 2021, the State Department announced that Ambassador Daniel Foote, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, would serve as its Special Envoy for Haiti. As Special Envoy, Mr. Foote will engage with Haitian and international partners to facilitate long-term peace and stability and support efforts to hold free and fair presidential and legislative elections.
With a focus on solving ongoing crises in the aftermath of the tragic assassination of Jovenel Moïse, the Special Envoy will, along with the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, lead U.S. diplomatic efforts and coordinate the effort of U.S. federal agencies in Haiti from Washington, advise the Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and coordinate closely with National Security Council staff on the administration’s efforts to support the Haitian people and Haiti’s democratic institutions.
Locally, the Special Envoy will engage stakeholders in civil society and the private sector while pursuing Haitian-led solutions to the many pressing challenges facing the Caribbean island nation. However, in a quest to succeed in his new role, Ambassador Foote -who has extensive diplomatic experience, including as Deputy Chief of Mission in Haiti and as the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia- has also included the Haitian-American diaspora in the process.
Ambassador Foote met Haitian Community leaders
Last Saturday (September 4), the special envoy met with the ‘leadership’ of South Florida’s Haitian Community. The invite-only event initiated by Dr. Larry Pierre, MD, took place at the Center for Haitian Studies (CHS), a community health center located in Little Haiti. Ambassador Foote looked forward to hearing ideas and solutions from members of the Haitian diaspora to help their country move beyond its current challenges.
About 30 well-known personalities in the Haitian community took part at the conversation, not only hearing the view of Ambassador Foote on the ongoing crises in Haiti, but also to make their voice heard, looking to be part of the solution. Among them were some elected officials, entrepreneurs, community leaders in different domains.
At the opening, Michelle Austin Pamies, a Haitian-American lawyer, provided a summary of a series of sociopolitical events Haiti had faced that culminated in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021. As moderator, Dr. Jean-Philippe Austin, MD, former Florida Finance Chair, Democratic National Committee Executive Board Member, explained the purpose behind the meeting to the guests. According to Dr. Austin, it’s time for the Haitian-American diaspora to be at the table of the decision makers.
As President Joe Biden’s special envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Foote said that he already met (virtually) with Haitian civil society representatives and politicians last month.
It was no secret that all the guests were enthusiastic to listen to Ambassador Foote, especially to hear how he plans to solve Haiti’s volatile security situation with gangs killing people without concern over title or social class.
During the conversation, the ambassador stated that they (without specification) are working on a plan to resolve the gang’s problem. This project could take up to 12 months to come together.
“Some U.S. Marines or members of Colombian forces well trained by the U.S. military would be the best two options,” said Ambassador Foote. “Unfortunately, I have to say that there is no appetite in Washington these days for a military raid. For the Colombian force, as you know, this is not good time. Now, we have to count on the Haitian police force to create a special well trained unit to deal with the gang violence.”
Ambassador Foote agrees that without security and political stability, Haiti can’t address the poverty problem.
“Besides the raid on the gang leaders in the slum,” he added, “we will need a state presence there, like schools, hospitals, food security and jobs. I think it’s a time for Haitians to come together to do something good for the country.”
Later, Foote said, “I am not sure I am the right guy, but I am the guy. My job is to do the right thing. Your job is to do the right thing. My job is for you guys to have attention in Washington.”
Many members of the audience expressed their personal views on the ongoing crisis in Haiti during the meeting. They questioned Mr. Foote and also proposed some solutions.
Gerard Philippeaux, who had worked in Haiti for the US government some time ago, expressed his skepticism when it comes to stopping weapons from flowing into vulnerable neighborhoods. At this point, Ambassador Foote -who has worked in Jamaica and El Salvador- replied that it is a huge concern and that it’s not going to be easy when Haiti is known to have a lot of maritime borders, besides its four official border crossings with the Dominican Republic.
“To be honest, I am encouraged by your presence and I hope this is for real this time,” said activist Marleine Bastien, Executive director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM). “Because more often for the last 40 years it’s been business as usual.”
“If we cannot stop this flow of arms into Haiti, we will never have stability,” Bastien added. “The Dominican Republic is the first beneficiary of the instability in Haiti, therefore we cannot count on them for help. We worked hard for the Biden administration and, to be honest, we are very satisfied with that administration. We are willing to continue to engage with you. The US has to show us they are willing to find a viable solution this time.”
The most passionate moment of the meeting came at the end when Father Reginald Jean Mary made his voice heard. He first thanked Ambassador Foote for having the humility to say, ‘We did wrong and he is ready to listen to get help from the diaspora.’ The Reverend suggested a sweeping of the leadership of the police force.
“This is something that must be done now,” Father Reginald stated. “Who’s Barbecue (a gang leader) to stand in front of international security. We need a sweeping now. The actual ambassador Simpson is immoral by taking sides with the president. What happened in Haiti is a shame. The fundamental life is out in Haiti.”
Ambassador Foote brought a new energy to his role and it appears a sincere desire to help the Haitian people regain control of their homeland, their nation. The conversation was passionate and heartfelt from all sides, and it appears as though Ambassador Foote is sincerely dedicated to laying the groundwork in the next two years to bring together all the viable sectors of Haitian society in order to finally bring forth a workable, long-term solution that benefits the people of Haiti most, the very people previous ambassadors and leaders have failed.
We’re hopeful that Ambassador Foote can achieve the goals he has set forth and that he actually listened to the ideas given him during this gathering. Haiti deserves leaders who care, and her peo
ple deserve light and hope and love in view of the darkness and despair that has been wrought upon her for so long.
Ambassador Foote: do what you promised and make a positive difference for our beloved Haiti. Thank you.
D. Ferdinand / Le Floridien
