PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti– Haitians today participated in the inauguration of their new president Michel Martelly.
For many ordinary Haitians, the 50-year-old musician represents the new beginning in a country from a past that has been dogged with political and economic crisis ever since the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country gained its independence from France more than 200 years ago.
The charismatic Martelly who does not have any government experience, made that aspect of his life the strong point of his campaign and appealed to Haitians to go forward with him.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, the current CARICOM Chairman, who will be among the hundreds of regional and international dignitaries attending the inauguration, said the election of Martelly following the second round of presidential elections on March 20, is a “renewal of spirit and the rise of a new political generation” for the country.
He said CARICOM will continue to support Haiti in the international community and will work with the new president to transform the Caribbean nation, which the Prime Minister said has a “new chapter in its political life.
“We recognize the difficulties the country has gone through, especially the effects of the earthquake disaster on the people of Haiti. CARICOM is committed to assisting with the recovery effort,” he added.
The Prime Minister said this support is crucial if Martelly is to succeed in his pledge to accelerate the reconstruction effort and to bring economic and political stability to the country. (CMC)
