Haiti’s president is moving forward with a controversial campaign pledge to restore the country’s disbanded military with an initial force of 3,500 soldiers, according to a document obtained on Tuesday by reporters.
The role for the army replacing the former discredited military would be to patrol Haiti’s border, keep order during times of crisis and provide opportunities for young people, the document outlining the plan says.
Haitian President Michel Martelly’s government proposes spending US$95 million to train and equip the new armed force with the goal of eventually replacing the 12,000 UN peacekeepers in the country.
Martelly spokesman Lucien Jura said on Tuesday afternoon that he was unaware of the document and referred questions to security consultant Reginald Delva, who told reporters he would comment later.
Haiti has not had a military since it was disbanded in 1995 under former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide after years of coups and human rights abuses. Some Haitians have said in recent months they welcome the creation of a new army, a reflection of patriotism, but also of the expectation that it would create jobs in an impoverished country.
Human rights groups have expressed uneasiness with the idea of restoring a military that was notorious for abuses.
Haiti-born political observer Jocelyn McCalla said the country would be better served by -creating a job program that focuses on young people.
“An army is the last thing that Haiti needs at this point,” McCalla wrote in an e-mail.
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