GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Jamaica will hold a meeting “within the next two weeks” on the situation in Haiti as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and the various stakeholders continue their efforts to finding a lasting solution to the political, socio-economic situation in the French-speaking CARICOM country.
CARICOM leaders during their retreat on Tuesday (DPI Photo)Informed sources told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the leaders, who are ending their four-day regular summit here on Wednesday and the Haitian key partners “have recognised the depth of the suffering of the Haitian people.
“This has been exacerbated by the need for consensus among the political shareholders, civil society, the private and religious sectors and the government of Haiti,” said the sources reading from a revised draft statement that will be issued at the end of the summit.
“In this regard the CARICOM heads called on all concerned to make the necessary concessions to arrive at a resolution of the political impasse,” according to the sources.
During the meeting, the regional leaders, including Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry, held discussions with key international partners including Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and the United Nations on the situation in Haiti..
The sources said that the regional leaders and the key partners received an update on the situation from former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, who chairs the three-member Eminent Persons Group (EPG) set up by CARICOM to help negotiate a solution to the situation in Haiti.
“In the course of a frank and in-depth discussion on the situation in Haiti, the CARICOM Heads expressed their deep concern over the continued deterioration of the security, humanitarian and political situation and the continued delay in overcoming the political stalemate, which have blocked the possibility of free and fair elections.
“CARICOM Heads underlined the critical and immediate need for a clear path forward which should be participatory and inclusive,” the sources said.
They said that the regional leaders recognised the leadership of Prime Minister Henry, who came to power following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, and who has “committed to major steps to move the political process forward, including the holding of general elections to restore constitutional government and authority no later than August 31, 2025.
“To this end an electoral needs gap assessment team will be put together led by CARICOM and the United Nations with the support of Canada, USA, and the OAS by 31 March 2024 to support planning and efforts of the relevant institutions to be established in Haiti,” the sources told CMC.
“Against this background, CARICOM will extend an invitation to the stakeholders to participate in a meeting in Jamaica within the next two weeks,” the sources added.
Last month, the Kenya High Court ruled against sending troops to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) to restore peace and security in Haiti.
Last October, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the MSS to back Haiti’s beleaguered police force, which Kenya offered to lead. A 2022 sanctions regime, targeting gang leaders and their financiers, was also renewed.
Earlier this month, President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, urged the international community to do more to help deal with the security, political and economic situation in Haiti.
