HAITI-Former prime ministers call for a spirit of openness to discuss the situation in Haiti.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Seven former prime ministers say they are “deeply disturbed by the continued deterioration of the general situation” in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. They call for “a spirit of openness for a constructive debate” regarding the country’s future.

The seven – Jean-Max Bellerive, Laurent Lamothe, Evans Paul, Enex Jean Charles, Jack Guy Lafontant, Jean Henry Céant, and Joseph Jouthe – have, in a joint statement, said they had established a Forum of Former Prime Ministers (FAPM) to pursue their goals.

“We, the undersigned, former Prime Ministers of Haiti, moved by a patriotic sense of duty, decide to speak out and participate effectively in the search for solutions, transcending any spirit of partiality.

” Indeed, we are deeply disturbed by the continued deterioration of the country’s general situation and galvanized by the idea that a patriotic outburst is essential to meet the challenges that overwhelm our people daily,” they said.

They said this is why, within the framework of the FAPM, “created in a spirit of openness for a constructive debate with enlightened minds and key players in Haitian society or the international community,” they were making “this patriotic appeal.

” We wish to analyze in depth the challenges to development, systemic or cyclical, which afflict our country and formulate concrete proposals to remedy them.

” At this crucial stage for the survival of the country, we call for national unity and the setting aside of our differences because Haiti has always been able to face adversity through the agreement of its daughters and its son,” they said.

The former prime ministers say they propose to initiate the debate to implement a solid economic development plan based on transparency, accountability, and innovation in a secure environment.

“We, therefore, urge all political actors to engage actively and support…the strengthening of our democratic institutions and the promotion of the rule of law. The participation of all citizens, both within the country and in the diaspora, is essential to shape our nation’s political, economic, and social future,” they added.

Last month, the three-member CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in Haiti that traveled to the country recommended that talks between the various groups should continue to help “narrow the differences between the protagonists.”

The group, headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and his two former prime ministerial colleagues, Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Perry Christie of the Bahamas, had traveled to Port au Prince to continue meeting with government and other Haitian stakeholders.

The meetings in Haiti were a follow-up to the three-day Haiti consultation held in Jamaica in June to build consensus and allow inclusive participation in a neutral environment.

Last year, Haiti’s Prime Minister, Dr. Ariel Henry, sent an urgent appeal to the UN asking for “the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity” to stop gang warfare in his country.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the UN Security Council and significant potential contribution countries to act fast to create the conditions for deploying a multinational force to Haiti.

Last weekend, the CARICOM grouping welcomed the announcement by The Bahamas and Jamaica that they are willing to join Kenya in sending a multinational force to deal with the security situation in Haiti.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Alfred Mutua, said last weekend that his country’s commitment is to deploy 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police to restore normalcy and protect strategic installations.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Monday said persistent violence in Haiti remains a significant concern for the safety and welfare of its most vulnerable citizens, especially women, and children, citing reports of an “alarming spike” in kidnapping and other crimes.

According to UNICEF, nearly 300 confirmed cases were reported in the first six months of 2023, almost matching the total number documented over 2022 and almost three times the number in 2021.