CARIBBEAN-CARICOM SG expresses concerns about the ongoing “dire situation” in Haiti

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett said Friday that the 15-member regional integration grouping remains gravely concerned about “the dire situation” in Haiti.

Addressing a one-day meeting of foreign affairs ministers from CARICOM and the Republic of South Africa, Barnett said that efforts are in progress to facilitate a transition to peace, stability, and democratic governance in the French-speaking country, where criminal gangs are seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry’s government.

“CARICOM looks forward to continued collaboration with and support from the international community for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission authorized by the UN Security Council and for critical humanitarian assistance and commitment to supporting Haiti as it seeks long-term social and economic development.

She added, “CARICOM will continue to press for the international community to meaningfully support Haiti’s long-term development needs beyond current efforts, which focus on security and political stability.”

The United Nations Security Council has recognized CARICOM’s “key role” in facilitating Haiti’s efforts to overcome the ongoing political stalemate and security situation.

In a statement, the Security Council said it “took note” of the outcome declaration issued on 11 March 2024 following a high-level meeting on Haiti convened by the leaders of CARICOM in Kingston, Jamaica, on the commitment reached with Haitian stakeholders for a transitional governance arrangement in Haiti, including the proposed creation of a Transitional Presidential Council and the naming of an Interim Prime Minister.

Guyana’s President and CARICOM chairman, Dr. Irfaan Ali, told reporters in Jamaica that an agreement had been reached that would allow Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down and for a transitional governance arrangement “which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power, continuity of governance and action plan for near-term security and the road to free and fair elections.”

Ali said that it was also agreed that a transitional presidential council would be created comprised of seven voting members and two voting observers.

In her address to the meeting, Barnett said the deliberation “marks another positive step towards continuing dialogue generally with Africa” and that it also marks a renewal of high-level interaction between CARICOM and the Republic of South Africa.

She said past engagements between CARICOM and South Africa have occurred at the highest political level. More recent engagements, such as meetings with Commonwealth heads of government, have happened in the margins of international fora.

During its stint as chairman of the African Union (AU), Barnett said that South Africa facilitated CARICOM countries’ access to the Africa Medical Supply Platform for vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said this was followed by reciprocal visits between African and Caribbean leaders, which led to the First CARICOM-Africa Summit, held in September 2021.

” Earlier last week, we were pleased to participate in a Symposium hosted by the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy on Strengthening Cooperation between Africa and Caribbean States.
” This meeting of Foreign Ministers, therefore, marks another positive step towards continuing dialogue generally with Africa, but specifically with the Republic of South Africa as we seek to deepen collaboration and propose solutions for the global challenges we face.”

Barnett said CARICOM had enjoyed solid political ties with South Africa and that the 15-member grouping had been “public and unrelenting in its opposition to apartheid.

“Today, our advocacy focuses on current challenges, such as the accelerating negative impact of climate change, the urgent need to reform the global financial architecture to achieve greater equality and relevance, building food and nutrition security, and threats to regional security.”

She said climate change challenges the sustainable development of the region.

“CARICOM countries and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) do not contribute significantly to climate change, but the impact of climate change causes losses annually,” she said, noting that when hurricanes occur, CARICOM countries can and have experienced multiples of gross domestic product (GDP) in losses in a few hours, as was the case of Dominica when Hurricane Maria hit in 2017.

“We count on partners such as South Africa, a country with rich and diverse ecosystems and where the impact of climate change is also accelerating, to support advocacy on this matter in multilateral fora.”

She said while a “short but substantive agenda” is before the meeting, the issues for discussion “clearly reflect the great significance that both CARICOM and South Africa attach to this important relationship and the value of working collaboratively to improve the well-being of all our peoples.”