Jamaica Notes “Significant Improvement” in Political Situation in Haiti

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica says there has been significant improvement in Haiti’s political situation since the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) earlier this year.

smithjjForeign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, speaking at post Cabinet news conferenceForeign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, speaking at the post Cabinet news conference on Wednesday, said Haiti is close to establishing a Provisional Electoral Council, which is the body constitutionally authorised to implement all the steps and requirements needed for elections.

“You might recall that the life of the Council is actually scheduled for 2026. So, the hope is to have things in place to allow that timeline to be met, and the Electoral Council is there for one of the critical milestones in ensuring Haiti’s return to democratic governance,” she told reporters.

Johnson Smith acknowledged that there have been some challenges and encourages the continued engagement with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Eminent Persons Group  (EPG) headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and includes former prime ministers Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Perry Christie of The Bahamas, that continues to give guidance on working through some of the difficult issues.

“These stakeholders that are represented on the Council are bodies that have traditionally been competitive with each other. They have never worked together, so it means that they will continue to have challenges.

“Being able to have experienced… persons from a Caribbean background to work with them and international partners has been very important to part of the process, and CARICOM and, indeed, Jamaica’s support takes place to quite an extent through this,” she said, adding that she hopes that the Council will continue to work in a way that facilitates consensus and credibility.

On Monday,  the new head of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), Leslie Voltaire, was sworn into office despite opposition from outgoing president Edgard Leblanc Fils, who refused to sign a decree ratifying the move.

“Under my presidency the transitional presidential council will consolidate its gains and structures to work with more efficiency and transparency,” said Voltaire, an architect, who represents the party of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

“Haitian people have enough of violence, of lies and of corruption. We must forget our personal interests and prioritize those of the nation,” he added.

In his brief speech, Voltaire said that much work remains to be done in a country in the grip of rampant gang violence.

“We are not satisfied with the security situation. We are working to reestablish security throughout the whole country.”

Haiti named the TPC in April after intense negotiations between various sectors of the Caribbean nation’s political and civil alliances. It was empowered with choosing a prime minister and wielding certain presidential powers until conditions are considered secure enough for a new election.

The council was formed to replace the government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was forced to step  down amid a gang conflict that has killed thousands and forced over 700,000 people from their homes.

Haiti has been without an elected government after President Jovenelle Moise was assassinated at his private residence on July 7, 2021.

In July, Leblanc Fils had told  CARICOM leaders at their summit held in Grenada that he expects presidential and legislative elections to be held in the French-speaking CARICOM country by the end of 2025.

Johnson Smith told reporters that security remains the greatest area of concern, coupled with its very interlinked humanitarian issues.

She said in light of this context, in the UN high-level week, Jamaica advocated throughout the week in different fora for continued and additional support of the international community for the work of the Kenya-led United Nations sanctioned Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to combat powerful armed gangs that have wreaked turmoil in the Caribbean country.

“On October 2, the UN Security Council voted in favour of extending the mandate of the Mission for one year. We’re very pleased with that result. It is critical to ensure that we’re able to advocate for more funding,” she said, adding that Jamaica deployed its initial command contingent to Haiti on September 12 and will honour its further commitment.