Is a way out of the crisis in Haiti? For more than a year, the street has called for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse, elected in February 2017. The initial anger against gasoline shortages has evolved into a generalized rage against the continuing rise in prices and scandals. corruption involving the government elite. All sectors of the economy and public services are stranded, while demonstrations often turn into riots.

For his part, the Haitian president clings to power, is most often in the silence and limits his public appearances. The latest example is the commemoration of the battle for independence on November 18 in Port-au-Prince.

Moved by many Haitians, Jovenel Moses did not make the trip to the historic site of the battle of Vertières, located 240 km north of the capital, and simply made a wreath of flowers at the museum that adjoins the national palace, where a military parade was held. The Champ de Mars square, where the museum and the palace are located, was banned from public access during the ceremonies and a heavy police force was careful to avoid any intrusion.

Both sides seem unable to dialogue. In this context, it is difficult to imagine a way out of the crisis in the near future. The situation could change if Washington, which sent its ambassador to the UN on Wednesday, decided to put pressure on Jovenel Moïse. According to political scientist Jacques Nesi, a specialist in Haiti and researcher at the University of the West Indies, contacted by France 24, the future of the country "depends on the United States".

France 24: Where is the situation in Haiti? Is an exit from crisis possible?

Jacques Nesi: The situation is still chaotic but there have been some developments in recent days. Efforts were made by the opposition, which was able to meet and join a proposal to end the crisis. They demand the resignation of President Moïse, the appointment of his replacement by a judge of the Court of Cassation, a prime minister from civil society at the head of a small government. Opponents of Jovenel Moïse also demand a constitutional reform that was not on their agenda at the beginning of the demonstrations more than a year ago. Haitians want a "new political system" because they judge the current rotten, mafia and corrupt, with too many collusions of interests between politicians and economic actors.

>> To read: #PetrocaribeChallenge, the campaign that mobilizes Haitians against corruption

For its part, after months of silence, the President of the Republic announced last week to have initiated a dialogue with civil society. But no information has filtered through his exchanges: we do not know what representatives he met and what he said during these exchanges, or even if they really took place.

Finally, the United States yesterday [Wednesday, November 20] sent their ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Dawn Knight Craft, to meet with the President and the opposition, but nothing or has not filtered discussions.

Can the mission of this emissary lead to something concrete? What role can the United States play in the Haitian crisis?

In fact, everything depends on the United States. Since 1915, all Haitian presidents have been endorsed by the Americans and the current maintenance of Jovenel Moses in power is supported only by Washington. The United States is grateful for the Haitian president's vote in January 2019 at the summit of the Organization of American States (OAS) against recognizing the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro's power in Venezuela. In addition, the United States is still seeking access to part of Haiti, which is rich in mineral resources, for its own companies.

I spoke with the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Kelly CRAFT, about ways and means to implement, in an inclusive dialogue, with a view to reaching a consensus resolution of the political crisis in the country. pic.twitter.com/NFxPdsHEuk

- President Jovenel Moses (@moisejovenel) November 20, 2019


Now, Washington also knows how to be pragmatic. A totally blocked country is not good for business. A president whose name is mentioned in corruption cases is not good either. Most Haitians and observers thought that Kelly Dawn Knight Craft would come up with a road map to keep Jovenel Moses in power. This is clearly not the case. She said she came to learn about the situation and listen. Will things change after his visit? Difficult to say because the problem in Haiti is that there is no more "buffer" institution likely to take over: civil society is too weak, the opposition is not credible because it has exercised the functions of the time of Michel Martelly [2011-2016] and René Préval [2006-2011]. These are old figures of the establishment who are also responsible for the current situation.

So within the international community, there are worries about the after because we do not see who to put in the place. No new faces have really emerged since the beginning of the protest.

Meanwhile, Haiti is sinking every day a little more in the crisis ...

Yes, the protesters will continue to take to the streets as long as Jovenel Moïse continues to cling to power. Today, the country is paralyzed: the demonstrators cut the roads and prevent people from circulating. There is a latent tension, everything is closed, commercial activities are at a standstill and the gangs are spreading terror.

Jovenel Moses clings to power through the repressive and administrative apparatus, but it is a president who finally has very little support. He has never been able to organize any counter-demonstration and even his party, the Haitian Party Tet Kale (PHTK), is shy about him. He himself does not really seem to believe in the dialogue with his opponents: when his former Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant tried to discuss with the protesters in 2018, he did everything to sabotage his efforts and eject him. It is a president who does not live up to the stakes.