CARICOM Leaders to Meet in Jamaica on Crisis Unfolding in Haiti
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, Dr. Irfaan Ali, Friday confirmed that regional leaders will meet in Jamaica on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation in the French-speaking member state of Haiti.
Guyana President and CARICOM chairman, Dr.Irfaan Ali announcing meeting of regional leaders and other stakeholders in Jamaica on Monday (CMC Photo)In a brief video statement, Ali, who is also Guyana’s President, confirmed a Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) story that the meeting will also be attended by representatives of governments “whom Haiti has engaged as partners”.
In his statement, Ali said that regional leaders remain engaged in “deep discussions with the various stakeholders in Haiti and with Prime Minister Henry.
“Whilst we are making considerable progress the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be. We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached. We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us” Ali said.
He said that the meeting on Monday is being called to “urgently address this current state of affairs and all other matters critical to the stabilization of security and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti.
“It is vital that this engagement be at as high a level as possible to send a clear message of unity between CARICOM and the international community as we work together to provide the critical support to the Haitian people at this time of crisis for them”.
CMC had reported Friday quoting well placed sources thatit was not clear whether Prime Minister Henry would be in Jamaica for the meeting and Ali in his statement gave no indication as to whether he would be present.
Henry, who came to power following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, has been in Puerto Rico since earlier this week, unable to enter his country after having travelled from Kenya where he signed an agreement allowing for a United Nations Security Council sanctioned international force led by the African country to restore peace and security in his troubled country.
But the criminal gangs that have all, but taken over the capital, Port au Prince, said a new government would soon be installed with a judge, Durin Duret Jr., as chairman assisted by former rebel leader and former police commissioner Guy Philippe, and Francoise Saint-Vil Villier, from the religious sector
“PM Henry and all the other members of the government must resign or they will face the consequences,” the outspoken and leftist political leader, Jean-Charles Moise told journalists.
The CMC sources also indicated that that not all the CARICOM leaders will be attending the meeting, but mainly the “members of the extended Bureau” of CARICOM.
The Bureau consists of the current chairman, Guyana;s President Irfaan Ali, the Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell as his Dominican counterpart, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Ali said he wanted to inform the Haitian people “that we will continue to work with them and on their behalf until there is a satisfactory resolution that brings stability and relief to them”.
