Haiti and the rest of Hispaniola was inhabited by   Arawak Amerindians when the island   was discovered by Columbus in 1492. The natives were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years.  In the early 17th Century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island – Haiti.  The French colony, based on forestry and sugar related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but the process involved heavy import of African slaves and considerable environment degradation.  In the late 18th Century, Haiti’s nearly half a million slaves revolted under Toussaint L ‘Overture and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804.  Haiti has experienced violent political instability for most of its history since then.   It is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.  Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected President.  Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994.  Aristide won a second term as President in 2000, and took office early in 2001.  However, a political crisis stemming from alleged fraudulent legislative elections led to his resignation in February 2004.  Rene Preval has taken over the reins of power as President since May 2006.

Haiti has Executive President, elected by popular vote for a five year-term.  He appoints the Prime Minister, who in turn, chooses his Cabinet, in consultation with the President.  It has bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consisting of the Senate (27 seats; elected for a six-year term; one-third retiring/elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (83 seats; elected by popular vote for a four-year term).  Mr. Jean Bertrand Aristide of the Lavalas  Party was elected again as President in 2000 . The political situation   deteriorated   in the last quarter of 2003 and an armed rebellion in February 2004  in several Haitian  cities forced him to resign under pressure from  the US and  France.    Later ,Aristide claimed that he had been kidnapped by the US. He is presently in exile in South Africa.  The UN security council unanimously adopted  a resolution- 1529/2004 calling on all sides in Haiti to abjure violence  and announced  sending a UN stabilization force . A small force of US, French, Canadian, and Chilean troops arrived in Haiti  to maintain law and order.  Since July 2004, UN Peace Keeping Forces (MINSUTAH) have taken over the mandate.

About 80% of the Haitian population lives in abject poverty.  Nearly 70% of them depend on   agriculture,   which consists mainly of small scale subsistence farming and employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force.  The economy has been stagnant with hardly new job opportunities being created.  Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with irregularities, international donors including the US and the EU suspended almost all aid to Haiti. Since then the country’s economic situation has deteriorated leading to socio-economic chaos.  Hundreds of Haitians try to flee the country every month to places like the US, Bahamas and the  Dominican Republic.  The alarming spread of AIDS has only added to the woes of the poverty stricken Haitians.   

An International Donor’s Meet hosted by the World Bank was organized in Washington in July 2004.  The donors promised to provide US$900 million requested by the Haitian Government to fund its re-construction plan over the next two years.  The Haitian authorities had targeted an aid of US$1.37 billion to invest in infrastructure development and basic services projects.  It had already secured US$440 million before the conference.  Development agencies criticized the commitments made by the donors saying that the fresh loans will only aggravate Haiti’s external debt obligations (which presently totals US$1.2 billion).

Haiti follows a policy of peaceful co-existence and cooperation.  It is one of the original members of the United Nations and several of its specialized and related agencies, and the OAS.  Haiti’s relations with its immediate and more prosperous neighbour, Dominican Republic, though friendly have not been without irritants because of the political unrest in Haiti and the continuing illegal immigration of Haitians to Dominican Republic.

Haiti was admitted as the 15th member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in July 2002.   Haiti’s acceptance was aimed at  bolstering  regional economic integration  but some critics have questioned the decision saying that not much trade can be done with a country that has an average income of just US$400 per year.  CARICOM played an active role in trying to resolve the Haitian political crisis involving clashes between Aristide and the Opposition. It demanded an enquiry into the removal of Aristide under the auspices of UN, a stand that was supported by Venezuela, and several African countries.  The   Chairman of the  CARICOM , PM Patterson of Jamaica  gave permission to Aristide to stay in his country for 8-10 weeks. PM  Latortue    took exception  to Jamaica’s attitude  and suspended  diplomatic relations with Jamaica  and CARICOM.  During its 25th annual meeting in Grenada, CARICOM voted not to recognize Haiti’s interim Government.  They were also successful in making the OAS General Assembly adopt a Resolution on Haiti opening the way for an investigation into the ouster of President Aristide. The Resolution invoked Article 20 of the OAS Charter which says – “in the event of an unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime that seriously impairs the democratic order in a member State, any member State or the Secretary General may request the immediate convocation of the permanent council to undertake a collective assessment of the situation and to take such decisions as it deems appropriate”. The Organisation of American States had earlier  not given credence to Aristide’s charges. 

Haiti has close relations with the United States, its major trading partner.  However, US’ relations with the Aristide Government had been strained because of alleged irregularities in the 2000 presidential elections in Haiti. The US had blocked international aid in retaliation.  As a consequence, Aristide blamed US’ policies for the worsening of Haitian economy and social turmoil.  The worsening of political crisis in Haiti in early 2004 led the US to pressurize Aristide to quit.  It sent US marines to restore law and order in the country.  Later the US forces were joined by a multi-international force.