PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH) says it will not nominate anyone to the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) even as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping said: “Progress is being made.”
In a statement, the CEH, which brings together the bishops of the Catholic Church in Haiti, said it had taken the position so as “to be able to maintain the moral distance which allows it to fulfill its prophetic mission” while wishing to see the current negotiations result in “a truly inclusive and lasting patriotic understanding” for the benefit of Haitians.
The CEH statement came as the Representative of the December 21 grouping named the former senator of Grande Anse, Louis Gérald Gilles, as its nominee and said his name had already been transmitted to CARICOM.
Earlier this month, Guyana’s President and CARICOM chairman, Dr. Irfaan Ali, told reporters that an agreement had been reached that would allow for Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry, who is stranded in Puerto Rico, 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.
On Monday, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Georgetown, Ali said while progress is being made on negotiations for the council to transition Haiti to some level of normalcy, he is also concerned over the latest spike of violence.
He told reporters that since his return from Jamaica, where he chaired the high-level meeting on Haiti that was attended by CARICOM leaders and other stakeholders, including the United States, Canada, and France, “we’ve been having continuous meetings, almost every night.”
He said it was necessary “because the Haitians have to get the presidential council in place. Progress is being made. We’re very concerned about the violence.
“The international community renewed its call for the multi-national force to be on the ground as soon as possible. There must be a bridging security arrangement to help immediately to bring a level of normalcy and security so that work can continue,” President Ali said.
Kenya had signed an agreement with Prime Minister Henry earlier this month, allowing for a United Nations Security Council-sanctioned international force led by the African country to restore peace and security in his troubled country.
Meanwhile, on Monday, heavily armed people attempted to storm the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) but were repelled by bank security agents and police officers.
Reports said that at least three of the attackers were killed and two security agents injured.
“Following an incident yesterday near the site of the BRH on Rue Pavee, security forces, and the bank’s security team acted with professionalism and efficiency,” the BRH said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
It said it was “deeply grateful” to its security guards and the police for “their vigilance and constant commitment to protecting our community.”
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