Why did "Baby Doc" return to Haiti?

Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier (Baby Doc's bio) returned to Haiti on January 16, 2011 after living in exile in Paris since 1986.  His surprise return to Haiti came just days after the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that practically destroyed the capital city of Port-au-Prince.  (It is estimated that 300,000 Haitians died in that earthquake and tens of thousands of others were injured.  To this day, over 1,000,000 Haitians remain homeless and live in squalor.)  Duvalier fled Haiti on February 7, 1986 in disgrace after a coup d’ etat led by Haitian dissidents.  Haitians had grown weary of the iron rule of the Duvalier family.  “Baby Doc” assumed the presidency of Haiti at the young age of 19 on April 21, 1971 after the death of his father, Francois (“Papa Doc”) Duvalier (Papa Doc's bio), who ruled Haiti from 1964 until his death in 1971.  "I've come to help," Duvalier was quoted as saying.

Many would question exactly how does “Baby Doc” plan to help Haiti.  In addition to being accused of presiding over the murders of political enemies and looting the Haitian national treasury of tens of millions of dollars, not many Haitians are thrilled over the return of “Baby Doc”.  Conversely, Duvalier does have supporters.  In light of the Haiti’s November 2010 presidential election that was wrought with fraud, there is wide speculation that Duvalier will seek the Presidency of Haiti.  Haitian officials have postponed the runoff election and have asked the government party’s candidate to withdraw from the election.  The Haitian government is so unstable there are some within the country who clamor for the return of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Jean-Bertrand Aristide's bio) , himself removed from office in yet another coup and has been living in exile since 2004.

Haiti needs a stable government for obvious reasons.  The country needs a strong leader in order to begin rebuilding the country after being hit with a devastating natural disaster.  The return of “Baby Doc” and the possible return of Jean-Bertrand Aristide does not bode well for the future of the country's government stability.  With both having questionable reputations and accusations of looting the national treasury, how will that affect the continued donation of financial assistance the country desperately needs?  Can the world community trust who disperses the financial aid?  These questions need to be answered. 

Both deposed leaders have supporters within the quasi-government infrastructure.  A civil war is the absolute last thing Haiti needs.  This is the most critical time in the country's history.  What role will the United Nations play?  What role will the United States play?

Why DID Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier return to Haiti?

Peace, peace ...

Craig Riggins

Read more in the Los Angeles Times: "Baby Doc" Duvalier returns to tense Haiti

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