(Georgetown) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Wednesday for “act quickly” in Haiti, during his participation in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) summit.
Haiti, the poorest country in the region, is facing a chronic humanitarian crisis, worsened by the terror sowed by gangs who control entire portions of its territory and the demonstrations in recent days demanding the departure of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
PHOTO VALERIE BAERISWYL, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Mr. Henry, who has led Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, has faced violent protests in recent weeks demanding his departure, worsening political instability in the country ravaged by gang violence.
“In Haiti, we must act quickly to alleviate the suffering of a population torn apart by tragedy,” Lula said during a speech to the summit plenary in Georgetown.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne earlier said Mr Henry had agreed to “share power” with the opposition in a deal to pave the way for elections in a period of one year.
Mr. Henry has ruled Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, and was due to cede power on February 7 under an agreement reached in December 2022.
PHOTO RALPH TEDY EROL, REUTERS
Protesters called for the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry last Sunday.
“We have come a long way,” Mr. Browne told reporters. During a “difficult session” with other Caricom leaders, “Henry pledged to serve as an honest broker and share power.”
This is not the first time that Mr. Henry has made such a commitment, as during a speech on the occasion of the 220e anniversary of Haiti’s independence. But this political agreement with the opposition is slow in coming, despite various attempts at mediation.
“The opposition is coming together […] and all that is needed is for the government to get its act together, get together and work out the details. I’m pretty sure it can be achieved in a short period of time,” Mr Browne said.
“It’s not just about having an interim power-sharing group to govern Haiti, it’s about strengthening the institutions, restoring the electoral machine, the democratic institutions and at the same time setting a firm date, perhaps in the next twelve months, for the presidential election,” he added.
Haiti is also awaiting the arrival of a multinational force to help its exhausted police fight gangs. The United Nations Security Council approved a mission in October that was to be led by Kenya, but which faced legal obstacles in Nairobi.
Benin announced on Tuesday that it would send an initial contingent of 2,000 men as part of the mission.
Mr. Browne said the United States, France and Canada should have “a minimum moral obligation to play a leading role in resolving this issue and not make a group of developing countries bear the sacrifice total loss of life.