Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Born in Port-Salut, he was educated at the College Notre Dame in Cap-Haïtien, graduating w/honors in '74. He did a novitiate in La Vega, Dominican Republic before returning to Haiti to study philosophy at the Grand Seminaire Notre Dame & psychology at the State University. Completing postgraduate work in '79, he studied in Italy & Israel. He returned to Haiti in '83 for Salesian ordination & was appointed a parish curate in Port-au-Prince & then the La Saline slums, gaining an affectionate Kreyòl nickname "Titide" or "Titid." A liberation theologian, he became a leader in the progressive wing of the Church (ti legliz—Kréyòl for "little church"), broadcasting sermons on Catholic radio. In a 1/88 National Catholic Reporter interview, he said, "The solution is revolution, 1st in the spirit of the Gospel; Jesus could not accept people going hungry. It is a conflict between classes, rich & poor. My role is to preach & organize." Father Aristide was expelled from the Salesians in '88. They said his activities were an "incitement to hatred & violence". Following violence at the abortive '87 national elections, the '90 elections were approached cautiously. He announced his presidential candidacy. Following a 6-week campaign, during which he dubbed his followers the "Front National pour le Changement et la Démocratie", he was elected with 67% of the vote. Taking office on 1/7/91, he broke from FNCD & created the OPL (Organisation Politique Lavalas-"flood" in Kréyòl). On 9/30/91, after his government led by Prime Minister René Préval failed a confidence vote by the FNCD-controlled parliament, he attempted to rule alone. The army performed a coup. He was deposed on 9/29/91. In accordance with Article 149 of the Constitution, Superior Court Justice Joseph Nérette was installed as Président Provisoire to serve til elections were held w/in 90 days. Elections were scheduled, but were cancelled as a result of US pressure. Real power was held by army commander Raoul Cédras. Later, under international pressure, the military regime backed down & US troops were deployed. On 10/15/94, he returned to complete his term. Leaving the priesthood in '94 enabled him to marry US citizen Mildred Trouillot in '95. They have two daughters. His term ended in 2/96. The constitution didn't allow consecutive terms. There was dispute over whether he, prior to new elections, should serve the 3 years he had lost in exile, or whether his term should instead be counted strictly according to the date of inauguration. The latter was decided. René Préval, an ally, ran during the '95 election, taking 88% of the vote. About 25% of the electorate participated. In late '96, he broke from the OPL over what he called its "distance from the people" & created a new political party, the Fanmi Lavalas. The OPL, holding the majority in the Sénat & the Chambre des Députés, renamed itself the Organisation du Peuple en Lutte, maintaining the OPL acronym. The Fanmi Lavalas won the 2000 legislative election. CNN Election Watch reported a turnout of 60% with over 92% voting for Aristide. His party implemented reforms under his leadership. These included increasing access to health care & education; increasing adult literacy & protection for those accused of crimes; improving judicial training; prohibiting human trafficking; disbanding the military & creating a civilian police force; establishing political rights & freedoms; doubling minimum wage; instituting land reform & small farm assistance; providing boat construction training; establishing a food distribution network of low cost food at below market prices; building low-cost housing & reducing government corruption. After a violent rebellion in '04, Aristide was forced out. He stated that France & the USA had roles in "a kidnapping" that took him from Haiti to South Africa via the Central African Republic. He & his family were welcomed to South Africa by cabinet ministers, 20 senior diplomats & an honor guard. R