Haiti: Prime Minister Henry reach out to CARICOM for help

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry is urging the regional integration movement, of which his country is a member, to express solidarity and request assistance to alleviate what has been termed “the deepening humanitarian, security, political, and economic crises in Haiti”.

A statement issued by the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat said Henry had written to the leaders of the 15-member grouping on the issue facing the French-speaking country where criminal gangs have virtually brought the country to a standstill by blocking roads to fuel depots and launching rival gang war.

In addition, opposition politicians have been staging demonstrations calling for the removal of Henry, who came to power following the assassination in July last year of President Jovenel Moïse. The opposition is demanding fresh presidential and other legislative elections.

“The actions of criminal gangs have resulted in the complete cessation of fuel distribution in several parts of the country forcing the closure of hospitals and schools and the shutting down of water pumps prohibiting the provision of clean water. The water shortage also has exacerbated the resurgence of a cholera epidemic particularly in poor neighborhoods,” CARICOM said in the statement.

“Heads of Government call upon all stakeholders in Haiti to come together with urgency at this critical juncture in the country’s history to bring an end to the protracted political stalemate in the interest of the people of the country and choose nation above self-interest.”

The statement said that the CARICOM leaders have reiterated “their willingness to facilitate meaningful dialogue and consensus building among Haitian stakeholders to support efforts at resolving the political stalemate. “The proposed assistance includes institution building, implementation of free and fair elections when the required enabling conditions are met, and the establishment of a framework for long-term social and economic development.

“However, they recognize that these initiatives could not be effectively realized until the security situation is addressed. In that regard Heads of Government take note of the appeal by Prime Minister Henry for the urgent assistance of Haiti’s international partners for short-term assistance to address the security and humanitarian crises,” the statement added. – (CMC)