PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Former prime minister Jean Henry Céant is calling on civil society in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic to come together and help find a solution to the current impasse between the two countries that make up the Caribbean island of Hispaniola
His call comes as the Dominican Republic closed the land, air, and sea borders with Haiti last Friday as the two countries continue to be at odds over the construction of an irrigation canal in Haiti.
Water from the canal comes from the Massacre River, which flows between the two countries.
Céant said that the citizens of both countries, especially those living in the eastern and western sections, are facing a new socio-political crisis triggered by the canal’s construction.
“Approached with pragmatism, discernment, and good faith, wise management of this crisis, far from leading to a massacre, can lead leaders to strengthen a shared vision that considers the interests of their respective countries,” Céant said.
He said to find an adequate solution to the various recurring problems that divide the two republics, he is calling for consultation of the Haitian and Dominican civil societies, “which, in their joint, resolved and determined actions, will help us to transform our communication difficulties in opportunities for frank dialogue to develop fair and equitable approaches.
“It is time to constitute an island force of common production, joint recovery, and galvanization of the humanist sense of each citizen,” he said, adding to do this, “we reiterate our call to key sectors of civil societies in both countries, particularly universities, to assume their historical responsibilities to create a space for discussions conducive to finding an adequate response.”
He said the agenda for the meeting could include the best way to combine efforts to succeed in Haitian-Dominican entrepreneurship, border control, the preservation of the standard water table, and better management of surface water.
He said that to maintain a continuous dialogue, “we must immediately relaunch the Haitian-Dominican joint commission, ensure that all components of this structure are operational while taking the opportunity to resolve all disputes with a view to sustainable harmonization relations between the two brotherly countries.
” Wars lead to the cemetery, but living together leads to happiness,” Céant added.
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