GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders begin their 46th summit here later on Sunday, hoping to further advance several issues ranging from the ongoing socio-economic and political situation in Haiti to advancing the CARICOM agri-food systems agenda while prioritising regional food and nutrition security
Before the ceremonial opening on Sunday, scheduled for 5.00 pm (local time), the regional leaders met with the Eminent Person Group (EPG) headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony regarding the situation in Haiti.
Following their last visit to Haiti last December, the EPG team, which also includes former Jamaica prime minister Bruce Golding and former Bahamas prime minister Perry Christie had indicated that consensus had been reached on several aspects of the draft framework agreement intended to provide a transitional governance arrangement to take the troubled French-speaking CARICOM country to free and fair elections.
The EPG members had discussions with the various stakeholders to find a political compromise to stabilize the country and promote a democratic transition.
In its statement issued following their latest visit, the EPG said the negotiations, attended by representatives of a broad cross-section of political and civil society Stakeholders, including Prime Minister Ariel Henry, “provided an opportunity for narrowing differences on the details of the transitional governance arrangement.
“The draft framework agreement that formed the basis of the negotiations was prepared by the EPG and reflected the contributions of all the Stakeholders over more than five months of consultations.
“The stakeholders achieved consensus on several aspects of the draft framework and have agreed to continue discussions between themselves in the absence of the EPG on the key areas of the balance of power and representation within the proposed transitional arrangements,” the statement said.
When the summit formally gets underway here on Monday, the situation in Haiti will be among the opening agenda items, with the EPG and Jamaica addressing the meeting.
In addition, representatives from Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations will also be allowed to address the summit.
On Monday, the regional leaders will also receive an update from the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labor, and services across the 15-member regional integration movement.
The report on the work of the Reconstituted Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF) will be tabled, with particular emphasis on implementing the regional leaders’ decision to work towards the free movement of all CARICOM nationals.
Developments in regional transportation with an update on the status of work on the “CARICOM Maritime Shipping Solution,” climate change and climate financing, as well as the update on the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from May 27-30 are also included on the agenda for Monday.
The leaders will go into caucus on Monday to discuss security issues and receive an update on the situation in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
In January, the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) expressed their “alarming concern” at the current situation in the BVI, where the former Governor of that British Overseas Territory, John Rankin, was reported to be moving towards implementing the recommendations of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) for governance reform.
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the BVI.
In a statement, the leaders said that they had noted “the request by the Governor for additional powers which will allow him to bypass the Territorial Government, and implement unilaterally, the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) for governance reforms in the BVI.”
They said they condemn “strongly any efforts to undermine the legitimate Government of the BVI and expressed solidarity with the Government and people of the BVI in the undertaking of the process for reforms.”
They also condemn “the considerable diligence exercised by the democratically elected government and people of the British Virgin Islands and the progress made thus far in implementing governance reforms which have no doubt strengthened the BVI systems and institutions, following the elections successfully held in April 2023”.
Rankin, who Daniel Pruce replaced at the end of January, said he would continue to “ work hard” and “with determination and resolve together, the reforms which the people of the Virgin Islands want and deserve can be achieved.”
He said the COI made 49 recommendations to help resolve these issues and place the BVI on a better path to good governance.
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