GEORGETOWN, Guyana – CARICOM says it is engaged in discussions with the various stakeholders in Haiti where the authorities have been forced to impose a curfew and state of emergency as they seek to regain control of the country following last weekend’s security situation that resulted in several inmates being freed by criminal gangs.
Guyana President and CARICOM chairman, Dr. irfaan Ali , in brief statement on Haitian situation (CMC Photo)CARICOM Chairman and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali in a one minute video statement on behalf of the 15-member regional grouping, said “CARICOM has been singularly focused on the events unfolding in Haiti over the last few days.
“The expanded Bureau (of Heads) has been meeting separately with Prime Minister (Dr Ariel) Henry, the stakeholders in Haiti and our international partners to bring resolution to this highly complex matter where persons lives and livelihood are at stake”.
Ali said that the “complexity requires us in these consultations to ensure that a Haitian led and Haitian owned solution may be achieved as soon as possible.
“We remain deeply engaged and will update on the outcome our deliberations as soon as practicable,” Ali said in the video statement that made no specific reference or condemnation of last weekend’s criminal gang activities.
Economy and Finance Minister, Patrick Michel Boivert, who is leading the government in the absence of Prime Minister Henry, said that the decree announcing the curfew and the state of emergency takes into account the attacks perpetrated on the night of March 2, by armed gangs against the two largest penitentiary centers in the country.
But there are concerns regarding the whereabouts of Prime Minister Henry, who is reported to have left Kenya last Saturday after signing the reciprocity agreement allowing the deployment of the Support Mission to the National Police of Haiti (PNH).
Media reports in Haiti, said that the Cap Haitien and Toussaint Louverture airports have become the target of the criminal gangs who want to prevent Henry and his delegation from returning to the country.
On Monday, several activists from the opposition “Pitit Dessalin” party gathered in front of the Cap-Haitien international airport urging those responsible to block the return of Prime Minister Henry.
Heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of the airport on Monday, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites in an explosion of violence that includes a mass escape from the country’s prisons.
The Toussaint Louverture International Airport was closed when the attack occurred, with no planes operating and no passengers on site.
