Ex-president Duvalier back in Haiti - Americas - Al Jazeera English

Ex-president Duvalier back in Haiti

Jean-Claude Duvalier makes surprise return from exile in midst of political vacuum left by disputed polls.

Last Modified: 17 Jan 2011 02:13 GMT

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Duvalier's partner suggested their return was prompted by the devastating earthquake a year ago [GALLO/GETTY]

Former Haitian president, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, has made a surprise return to Haiti in the midst of a political vacuum left by disputed presidential elections.

Returning to his homeland after 25 years in the political wilderness, most of them spent in exile in France, Duvalier did not explain the reason for his return on Sunday, simply saying: "I've come to help".

Duvalier's partner, Veronique Roy, described to AFP news agency how he bent to his knees and kissed the ground as he set foot on home soil for the first time since his violent ouster in 1986.

Roy suggested the couple's return had been prompted by the devastating earthquake almost exactly a year ago that killed nearly a quarter of a million Haitians.

"That was the trigger," she told AFP. "It's so emotional. We were not expecting this welcome."

A delegation of former officials who had served as cabinet ministers under Duvalier awaited his arrival at the airport and a few hundred supporters were gathered outside.

Popular revolt

Duvalier was ousted by a popular revolt after his family and supporters were accused of plundering tens of millions of dollars of state funds during his 15-year reign.

Duvalier's unexpected return also came as the country wrestled with the results of a November 28 election that sparked deadly riots over allegations of vote-rigging by the current ruling party.

The head of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, was to arrive in Haiti Monday to discuss his regional group's report that evaluated the election results, his office said.

Duvalier had earlier told a Florida radio station he was not returning as a presidential candidate, saying: "This is not the order of the day."

In 2007, Duvalier called on Haitians to forgive him for the "mistakes" committed during his reign.

Haitian authorities have accused Duvalier of diverting more than $100m out of the desperately poor country under the guise of social work during his reign.

via english.aljazeera.net