AS if last January’s devastating earthquake, the subsequent outbreak of cholera, the current political crisis after disputed presidential elections, and decades of evil dictatorship were not enough, the Haitian people have now been subjected to further pain and anxiety by the return of Mr Jean-Claude Duvalier.

The deposed dictator’s arrival in Haiti on Sunday has naturally raised suspicion about his motive, especially given the political situation there. Moreover, the attention he has been getting since his arrival is diverting focus away from the recovery effort

We believe it would be a very dark day for Haiti, the Caribbean and indeed the world, if Mr Duvalier is allowed to engage in the politics of that country once again. For his record in that area has been appalling, to say the least.

Let us not forget that under his rule, and that of his late father, François ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier before him, Haitians were made to suffer under one of history’s most repressive regimes which tortured and killed political opponents and maintained an atmosphere of fear through the use of their goon squad, the Tonton Macoute.

François Duvalier went on to amend the Haitian constitution, giving himself the power to name his successor, resulting in his son, Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier, becoming president-for-life after his father died in 1971. At the time, his son was just 19 years old — too young to run a country, but obviously versed in the art of repression, most likely learnt from his father.

Indeed, we recall well that in January 1986, a month after protests against his leadership spread across the country, his government closed schools and universities and instructed radio stations not to report on the turbulence, even as his Tonton Macoutes figured in the majority of the more than 50 people killed in confrontations with protesters.

We remember too the wild celebrations in the streets of Haiti when Mr Duvalier was overthrown in 1986, and many Haitians expressed hope that their lives would improve with his departure into exile in France.

Unfortunately, that has not been the experience of the majority of Haitians, as successive administrations have failed to improve the country which has remained mired in the poverty and decay that the Duvaliers helped to create.

We therefore find ironic, and indeed brazen, the comment made by one Mr Henry Robert Sterlin, a former ambassador who, claiming that he was speaking on behalf of Mr Duvalier, said that the former dictator “was deeply hurt in his soul after the earthquake” and that Mr Duvalier returned to Haiti to see for himself the situation of the people and the country.

Really now!

What, pray tell, has inspired this sudden feeling of concern for the welfare of Haiti from a man who, while in office, oppressed his people to the point where they were forced to kick him out of the country?

We note with interest a wire service report that a new law on returning illicit dictator funds parked in Switzerland, where Mr Duvalier’s assets have remain frozen since 1986, is set to enter into force on February 1 this year.

We are told by the Swiss Info news service that the law requires that the returned funds — in Mr Duvalier’s case US$6.2 million — “must be used to improve quality of life for the wider population, strengthening the judicial system and the fight against crime”.

Can Mr Duvalier really convince anyone that he’s not, as he said on Sunday, in Haiti for politics?