Economic interests and countries such as France and the United States were behind a ”coup d’état” that led to his ousting in February, former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide said on Monday. He said he will only contest elections in Haiti next year if the poll is guaranteed free and fair, and democratic.
Ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Sunday delivered a sermon at the St Michael’s Anglican church in Alexandra township north of Johannesburg. Reverend Samson Makhalemele said the purpose of Aristide’s visit was to worship and to feel the presence of the Lord.
Ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide is not a refugee in South Africa, but a free person and a guest of the government, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Wednesday. She told reporters in Pretoria that Aristide will be allowed to make political speeches while in the country.
Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide began his stay in South Africa on Monday by thanking his hosts in Zulu for allowing him and his family to enter the country. President Thabo Mbeki and a host of government ministers and diplomats gave him a high-powered, red-carpet welcome at Johannesburg International airport.
Ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide has left the Caribbean for temporary asylum in South Africa, saying he plans to return to his troubled homeland one day. ”There is one elected president of Haiti … and it’s me,” Aristide told reporters in Jamaica on Sunday, shortly before departing aboard a South African jet with his family and bodyguards.
Two days before ousted Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide and his family are to leave for temporary asylum in South Africa, it is still unclear who will pay the plane fare. Reports on Friday said the Jamaican and South African governments are arguing over who would pay to fly Aristide, his wife Mildred and their security.
Ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide will leave Jamaica for temporary asylum in South Africa this weekend, the government said on Thursday. The former leader will leave the island with his wife and two young daughters no later than Sunday, said Aristide’s government-appointed spokesperson Huntley Medley.
The South African government has granted the former president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, permission to visit the country for an unspecified period of time. The fact that Aristide and his family have not received formal political asylum is relevant.
The South African government is still waiting to hear when ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his entourage are to arrive in the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the government was waiting for an official communiqué from the Caribbean Economic Community as to the exact date.
The Democratic Alliance on Thursday questioned the government’s wisdom in allowing ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide ”visitor status” in South Africa, saying the decision has not been adequately explained. The DA also objected to the costs involved in accommodating Aristide and his entourage.