It’s A New Day: Haiti Inaugurates President Michel Martelly

Former musician Michel Martelly became Haiti’s 56th president yesterday, in a moment which he called “a victory for the people.”

During his inauguration speech, in front of foreign dignitaries, Haitian VIP, and a massive crowd of citizens, Martelly vowed to make this the beginning of a new chapter in Haiti’s history, one which would make the people of Haiti proud of their nation once again.

“We are going to change Haiti. We are going to remake this country,’’ the former musician said, speaking forcefully on the grounds of a broken National Palace, dressed up for his inauguration as Haiti’s 56th president. “We cannot continue with this humiliation of having to extend our hand for help all of the time.’’

Formerly known by the stage name “Sweet Micky,’’ Martelly, has come to embody the hope of many disenchanted youth. In a speech that promoted job creation, security and promoting Haiti’s cultural riches, he emphasized strong leadership. His, he said, will be a presidency that will not tolerate anyone blocking change, or using instability to prevent investments.

“If anyone thinks they will come [create] disorder, you are going to come [make a mess], loot and burn, create instability,’’ he said, “I regret this for you because justice will deal with you.’’

With no security, Haiti cannot have stability and development “to get out of the misery so we can live another way,’’ he added.

More than 2,500 people were invited to hear Martelly’s first presidential address. And while lots was made about his inviting all eight of Haiti’s living ex-presidents to the event, only two — Ertha Pasal-Trouillot and René Préval — showed up. Neither former presidents Jean-Bertrand Aristide nor Jean-Claude “Baby Doc’’ Duvalier received formal invitations, people close to each told The Miami Herald.

The audience also included more than 100 foreign dignitaries. Among them was former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who serves as co-chair of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission. Also present were the presidents of the Dominican Republic, Suriname and Honduras, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica.