ARTICLE -YOUTH PROTEST CONFLICT

POLITICAL ANALYST FEARS GROWING CONFLICT BETWEEN YOUTH POPULATION AND PRESIDENT MARTELLY

PORT-AU-PRINCE - Following multiple days of manifestations by university students against the presence of the United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti, Professor of Political Science, Mozart Deronette, fears a growing divide between the Head of State and the youth population of the country.

The interview by the Agence Haitienne de Presse noted President Michel Martelly's position on the presence of United Nations peacekeepers and his diplomatic approach which seem to some, as being very passive; even to the point of ignoring sex scandals and the death of Haitian citizens due to the cholera epidemic.

Political Scientist and Professor, Mozart Deronette fears a conflict between the Haitian youth and the administration of President Martelly because he "continues to ignore calls from several sectors demanding the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers."

The professor noted to the AHP that the situation could deteriorate during the rest of the mandate of the Head the State.... that he is reluctant to accept the departure of the UN mission "because of his immediate interests."

Deronette views the president's position as indicating a position that reflects the need to repress the population in case of an uprising.

The political scientist noted that there is a discrepancy between the position expressed by President Michel Martelly at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly and his campaign that was supported by the youth in Haiti. Deronette says that this same dynamic is playing out in many other countries where leaders cling to the status quo, remaining reluctant to the change demanded by their young people.

Deronette's fears are further realized in a recent acknowledgement and denunciation by the Union of Haitian Labor (UNOH) which claimed President Martelly and the Chief of Police were working to repress and criminalize social movements and demonstrations throughout the country.

The Head of State in his address at the podium of the United Nations decided against the immediate withdrawal of MINUSTAH arguing that it would be irresponsible and dangerous to let this force go without an alternative national force.

Prior to the president's address the Senate had passed a resolution for withdrawal of the MINUSTAH force and they hoped to have a complete end to the mission by October 2012.

5 UN peacekeepers were accused of involvement in the rape of a teenager last June in the Haitian town of Port-Salut (South). Since then, manifestations have taken place against the presence of peacekeepers.

"We will not stop until the UN soldiers have left the country," assured Friday the initiators of an event that felt that MINUSTAH had failed in all its objectives. Another demonstration has also been planned for Thursday the 29th.