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The massacre perpetrated in the town of Séguin marks a serious turning point in the multidimensional crisis gripping Haiti. It is not simply another tragic event, but a brutal revelation of the collapse of state authority and the manifest failure of public governance.
In less than a month, Haitian citizens were abandoned to the most extreme violence. Families were decimated, communities destroyed, while state institutions, meant to guarantee collective security, remained silent, absent, even indifferent.
This situation raises a fundamental question: what is the role of the Haitian state anymore?
A state that fails to protect its citizens loses all legitimacy. A state that does not act in the face of repeated massacres disqualifies itself. And a state that tolerates insecurity becomes an aggravating factor in the national crisis.
The Séguin tragedy highlights three major failings:
1. A structural inability to ensure public safety
The lack of a rapid and coordinated response to the violence reflects a profound failure of the security apparatus and a loss of control over the territory.
2. A blatant political irresponsibility
To date, no authority has clearly assumed responsibility for this tragedy. This institutional silence is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law.
3. A breach of the social contract
The Haitian people, left to their own devices, can no longer rely on those responsible for protecting them. This breach dangerously undermines national cohesion.
Faced with this reality, it is imperative to adopt a stance of truth and responsibility. The country can no longer be governed through denial and improvisation. Urgent and structural measures must be taken:
Immediate mobilization of security forces in high-risk areas, the opening of independent investigations to shed light on responsibilities, the establishment of a system for protecting civilian populations, and a fundamental overhaul of security governance based on transparency and accountability.
Beyond legitimate emotion, the moment demands a strong political response. It is no longer simply a matter of managing a crisis, but of restoring the authority of the State and rebuilding public trust.
The Séguin massacre must not go unpunished. It must mark a turning point, a national awakening, a collective demand for responsibility. Because without security, there is no State, no nation, no future.
By: Jean Marie Gaudar, Attorney at Law
Engaged Citizen!
