USIP Experts React to Developments in Haitian Elections
Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) have been closely following the Haitian presidential and legislative elections that took place yesterday in Haiti - the first time since the January earthquake that Haitians have gone to the polls. Robert Perito and Robert Maguire comment on the elections.
Contact: Allison Sturma, 202/429-4725
(Washington) - Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) have been closely following the Haitian presidential and legislative elections that took place yesterday in Haiti - the first time since the January earthquake that Haitians have gone to the polls.
Robert Maguire, chairman of USIP's Haiti Working Group, reflected that there was much at stake in these elections:
"This presidential election was undertaken in a difficult situation after the devastating earthquake but went forward nevertheless in a high stakes atmosphere. International actors would find out who their next partners would be in support of post-quake recovery and development; Haitians would learn who would lead them beyond the post-quake period."
In his analysis, Senior Program Officer and Director of Haiti Programs Robert Perito added:
On reports of election fraud, Perito commented:
Expanding on the differing reports of fraud coming from the Provisional Electoral Commission and some of the presidential candidates, Maguire remarked that:
Perito concluded that moving forward:
Perito and Maguire are available for additional comment.
Robert Perito, senior program officer and director of Haiti Programs
Cell: 202/246-4238
E-mail: rperito@usip.org
Robert Maguire, chairman of the Haiti Working Group
E-mail: rmaguire@usip.org
Additional resources:
- "Haiti: Elections in the Time of Cholera," Upcoming USIP Public Event
On December 7, a panel of experts will address how the newly elected Haitian government can work with the international community to move forward on rebuilding and disease control.
- "Education and Conflict in Haiti," USIP Special Report
In Haiti, education both promotes and ameliorates conflict. This July 2010 report describes the education sector before the 2010 earthquake, then presents recommendations on how Haiti and the international community can increase access to and the quality of Haitian schools and modernize the organization and function of the national education sector.
- USIP Haiti Programs
This Web page includes an overview of USIP's work in Haiti, links to relevant publications, and video of past events.
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The opinions here are those of the experts and do not reflect the views of the U.S. Institute of Peace. The U.S. Institute of Peace provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peacebuilding. Learn more at www.usip.org.
