Haiti - CARICOM : The Group of mediators disappointed by their last visit to Haiti

Haiti – CARICOM : The Group of mediators disappointed by their last visit to Haiti
12/09/2023 09:26:54

The Eminent Persons Group (EPG), composed of former Prime Ministers Dr Kenny D. Anthony (Saint Lucia), Bruce Golding (Jamaica) and Perry Christie (Bahamas), was encouraged by the positive steps taken in previous meetings with Haitian stakeholders in Jamaica in June and Haiti in July and by the outcome of informal discussions between stakeholders that took place in August to narrow the differences as recommended by the Group.

The Group of Mediators returned to Haiti on September 4th, 2023 for a 5-day visit with the intention of building on this political platform, fragile though it was,, in order to make progress in the search for a lasting solution to the long-standing political impasse.

They were disappointed that the tone of discussions had hardened and that the positions of some stakeholders had significantly regressed, as evidenced by calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Henry. These developments coincided with the alarming deterioration of the security situation in Port-au-Prince in August and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.

In this impaired political environment, the agreed commencement of intensive mediation meetings with reduced groups of participants was delayed by the setting of conditions and non-compliance with the agreed limits on the number of persons to be present in a new phase of intensive mediation. Following intensive discussions, including one that brought together Prime Minister Henry, representatives of the December 21 Accord, the Joint Declaration of Kingston and civil society, an agreement was reached on the arrangements for the intensive mediation meetings to commence on 12 September. This phase of the negotiations will be facilitated initially by the EPG by videoconference and subsequently in person by the EPG should the stakeholders so request.

The EPG hopes that with determination, goodwill and recognition that the interests of the Haitian people must be the primary concern of all stakeholders, a solution can be found to put Haiti back on the path to constitutionalism and democracy.