Cry Haiti!
The first post-colonial independent Black-led nation in the world. The only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. The only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas. And one of poorest country in the world and it is the most impoverished country in the Western hemisphere, where about 80% of its population live below the poverty line. That is Haiti . View Larger Map Haiti: a country that, for decades, has been ruled by dictators and despots. When we think of the words 'voodoo', 'zombies' and 'Tontons Macoutes' - Haiti comes to mind. Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who ruled Haiti with an iron fist for 14 years, was delighted when US President John F Kennedy, on whom it is said the mad Doc had placed a curse, was assassinated on 22 November 1963. A country that has experienced military coups, UN sanctions and other tragedies such as severe storms and flooding - is now facing its worst moment.