Former Haiti dictator makes surprise return

After 25 years in exile, "Baby Doc" who is alleged to have stolen millions of dollars from the people of Haiti during his rule, surprised residents and government officials with his return. (File photo)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, - Former president Jean-Claude Duvalier yesterday threw Haiti in a tailspin with his return from France after 25 years in exile. The unexpected arrival of "Baby Doc", as he's known, comes at a time when a cloud of political uncertainty remains over the country.

He arrived on an Air France flight last night with a female companion identified as Veronique Roy.

As news spread of his return, hundreds of his supporters converged at the airport. The cheering crowd eventually swelled to about 2,000.

Duvalier, 59, who is alleged to have stolen millions from government coffers during his rule, told reporters he came back to help the people of Haiti and participate in the country's rebirth, although he did not say what he specifically intended to do.

"I was waiting for this moment for a long time. When I first set foot on the ground, I felt great joy," he told the Reuters news agency. "I wanted to show them my solidarity, to tell them that I am here."

Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said he did not know Duvalier was coming back but noted, "He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home."

Duvalier began his rule of Haiti at the age of 19, after the death of his father, Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, in 1971. However, he fled to France after being toppled in a revolt in 1986.

His return has sparked mixed reaction among the population. Some who still support him were excited at his return, while others were uncertain about what it means.

Others are concerned it will add fuel to the political fire, with the presidential elections still not settled.

Duvalier's return coincided with the day the runoff to choose a new candidate should have been held.

However, with the final first round results still not released, there was no voting yesterday.

The country is waiting to hear what the next step will be following a review carried out by an Organization of American States (OAS) expert mission. Although it has not been made public, a copy leaked to the press shows the OAS not supporting the preliminary results released early last month by the country's Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), and recommending that President René Préval's handpicked candidate Jude Celestin be eliminated from the runoff.

Popular musician Michel ‘Sweet’ Martelly had been eliminated based on the preliminary results, with former first lady Mirlande Manigat in the lead followed by Celestin. But the mission found that Manigat had 31.6 percent of the vote, Martelly actually had 22.2 percent and Celestin trailed with 21.9 percent.

The OAS report has ruled out a new election or recounting of votes.