Banana Battle Redoux

Haiti’s surreal political struggle continues as the former president’s handpicked successor  (who calls himself the “Banana Man”) and his opponent will face off in a final round of presidential elections on April 24.

Despite having many entertaining elements, Haiti’s political struggles are a serious problem.  The crisis came to a head on February 6 when President Martelly’s term expired without the choice of a successor by the Haitian electorate.  With opposition demonstrators blocking many main roads with flaming tire barricades, on February 7 Martelly initiated a process to create a transitionary government and relinquished the office of president.  The situation on the street immediately improved.  Unfortunately, the crisis came to a head on Carnival weekend, ruining Haiti’s busiest tourist holiday.  Furthermore, this political instability has aggravated an economic crisis in Haiti which has seen one third of the value of the Haitian gourde lost to the rising US dollar.  This means essential imports like food, medicine, clothing, etc. have risen in price an equal amount.  Please pray for political stability in Haiti.