GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The three-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has ended a six-day visit to Haiti, saying it was necessary to ascertain and evaluate the progress made in the transition process now taking place in the French-speaking CARICCOM country.
A statement issued by the EPG said that the visit allows them to be in a position to report to CARICOM leaders and that the visit permitted an exchange of views and dialogue with representatives of a broad spectrum of Haitian society, including the bicephalous executive; the Director-General of the Haitian National Police as well as the leadership of political parties not represented on the Transitional President Council (TPC) nor in the government.
The EPG, comprising Dr. Kenny Anthony, Brue Golding, and Perry Christie, the former prime ministers of St. Lucia, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, also met with representatives of Haiti’s major international partners, namely Canada, France, and the United States, as well as the representatives of the United Nations Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) Force Commander.
“The visit to the TPC and the Prime Minister facilitated an update on the overall situation, their activities, and plans as well as their concerns,” the statement said, adding that the EPG was encouraged that the TPC appeared to be making some effort to overcome the delays in putting in place a number of the critical institutions and entities required under the April 3 Accord.
These include the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the Government Action Oversight Organ (OCAG), the National Security Council, and the National Conference.
“The issue of the estrangement between some sectors and their Council representatives and the resulting friction was raised. The EPG also discussed the unease among the stakeholders resulting from the non-publication of the April 3 Accord, the absence of the proposed critical institutions, Council inaction, and the negative impact on the Council of its inaction on the allegations of corruption against three of its members.”
The statement said that a significant concern articulated by both governance institutions was the difficulties experienced by the Haitian police and the Kenyan force in addressing insecurity.
“This remains the foremost expectation of the Haitian people. The common concern articulated was that the Kenyan force was both under-staffed and under-equipped and, as a result, needed more capacity to hold reclaimed territory. The need for adequate funding for the MSSM for an early resolution of these equipment and personnel shortfalls was emphasized, as well as necessities also required by the Haitian police.”
The statement said that Prime Minister Garry Conile was acutely aware that the window of opportunity would not last long and that the people of the country expected delivery. “He made it clear that the lack of resources and the breakdown of State institutions were impediments, but efforts were underway to address the critical socio-economic and humanitarian issues that beleaguered the population.
“The Prime Minister emphasized that, unless the issue of insecurity is resolved, progress in other critical theatres of government action would very likely be compromised,” the PG said in the statement.
It said that in the meetings with the broad scope of civil society representatives and the political parties not represented in the TPC and government, the standard view was that what was needed was a reset and reconfiguration of the TPC.
“There was unanimity about the concerns and issues raised – the inability of the State to improve security; disappointment over the lack of impact of the presence of the Kenyan forces; the erosion of public confidence in the TPC, exacerbated by the corruption scandal and strident demands for the three Councillors to be withdrawn; increasing concern that because of delays, perceived as inaction, the transition process would not meet its deadline of February 2026 for the seating of an elected president. “
The statement said the political party representatives not linked to the TPC “decried the non-inclusive nature of the Council of Ministers and the financial and other advantages likely to be enjoyed in the lead-up to elections by those political parties represented on the Council through their designated ministers.
“Delays in installing the critical institutions, the need for greater effectiveness in attaining the significant objectives in the allotted time, and the corrosive impact of the allegations of corruption have contributed to the fragility of the transition process.
“The corruption allegations could not have come at a worse time and will require speedy resolution to preserve the institution’s integrity and public confidence in the transition process,” the statement added.
In this regard, the inquiry of the anti-corruption investigative agency would be of critical importance.
“There needs to be a return to the ethos of the agreement in Jamaica of March 11, 2024, which was built on inclusiveness, consensus, and accountability,” the EPG members warned.
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