This is the Guardian.

Today is Haiti, now a failed state.

Before we start, I want to let you know that in this episode we discuss violence and sexual assault,

so please take care while you're listening.

As of this week, all 11 and a half million people living in Haiti no longer have

an elected official representing them.

By the start of this year, there were only 10 politicians left in Haiti's parliament,

and their terms in office were due to come to an end.

In this country, in the Caribbean, it's been more than six years since effective elections

took place, and so when those 10 senators walked out a few weeks ago, no one replaced them.

All that remains is an unelected prime minister who has been unable to stop the rampant gang activity

that rules the nation.

For the government to collapse might seem extraordinary, but for many Haitians, like the journalist

with law, Marrenkoor, it was sadly all too predictable.

This event was bitter-sweet in Haiti. The parliament was not effective, but at the same time,

it is yet another testament of the state of democracy today in Haiti.

Representative democracy is basically dead.

Virtually every democratic institution from the justice system to parliament is no longer functioning.

The country is close to economic collapse, and the police are outnumbered and outgunned by gangs,

violent gangs, who are becoming more and more powerful.

They say to people, you can open your business, but you have to pay your fee.

You can go out, but it is at your own risk because we can kidnap you, kill you, rape you,

...