The Prime Minister of Canada took advantage of his visit to the United Nations on Wednesday to chair a meeting of leaders on the subject of security in Haiti, while major demonstrations in Port-au-Prince force the closure to the public of the embassy for a week.
“We have a lot of work to do to help Haiti restore stability and prosperity, to protect citizens, and to restore confidence and direction to the pearl of the Antilles,” Justin Trudeau told reporters in New York. at the entrance to the meeting.
Canada on Wednesday summoned officials from different countries serving on the Advisory Group ad hoc on Haiti, of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, on the theme of the country’s stability and security. The prime minister added that the only lasting solution must be led “by Haiti, by Haitians.”
The international group is made up of a handful of countries from the Americas, Europe and Africa, including the United States and France, to which have been added representatives from Caribbean countries. The Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Victor Généus, and his colleague Minister of the Economy, Michel Patrick Boisvert, participated in the meeting.
Canadian Embassy closed to the public
For the past week, intense demonstrations have disturbed the Haitian capital. The revolt is motivated by rising fuel prices, following the end of fuel subsidies requested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Gangs have taken over most of Port-au-Prince. The gangs even occupy the court, ”illustrated on Tuesday the Canadian ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae.
The premises of the Canadian Embassy have also been closed since last Wednesday. The building is on a major street leading to the wealthy district of Pétion-Ville and which has been occupied by protesters. Diplomats have been sent to work from home, with large supplies of food.
The gangs have taken control of most of Port-au-Prince. The gangs even occupy the court.
“We are not able to get in touch with our relatives in Haiti. There is no more water, no more electricity. We can no longer send money, since the banks are closed. It’s dramatic for us,” described in To have to Marjorie Villefranche, general manager of the Maison d’Haïti, in Montreal.
In his view, any improvement in Haiti’s security depends first on solutions that the Haitians themselves must find, and not on initiatives imposed by the international community. “Canada is very well placed to exercise leadership in Haiti,” however, believes Ms. Villefranche.
contested government
One of the difficulties facing the international community is that the legitimacy of Haiti’s provisional government is disputed. Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry has led the country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
“It is a challenge because the government [actuel] is an interim government and that there are many people in civil society who strongly believe that things are not going in the right direction,” acknowledged Ambassador Bob Rae.
The Canadian strategy for now is to build the capacity of the Haitian National Police. Ottawa has provided it with funding of around $30 million in 2022, in addition to recently giving the green light to the sale of Canadian armored vehicles for its police officers.
Canada also announced on Wednesday the enhancement of its contribution for the reconstruction of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, up to $20 million. Another meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti is scheduled for Friday, without Prime Minister Trudeau this time.