PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has told Haitians that 2024 is a year of significant challenges that the entire French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country will face together.
“We must restore pride to our Haitian sisters and brothers, restore security, and reconnect with job-generating growth. We must also organize transparent, inclusive, transparent and democratic elections from which new elected officials will emerge, freely chosen by the people,” Henry said in his New Year’s message.
Haiti is celebrating its 220th anniversary of independence on Monday, having proclaimed its independence from France on January 1, 1804, in the port city of Gonaïves by Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
He told Haitians that they must rediscover the times of yesteryear “when life was good, where the spirit of brotherhood and sharing prevailed in human relations.
”During the year 2024, I will ask all our sisters and brothers here and in the diaspora to make a ‘national knit’ (working together nationally) to allow the country to move forward on the path of development to give impetus to democracy, even if we have different ideas, we are brother and sister. We must count on each other.”
Henry, who came to office following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, said that “2024 will be a year in which we work for change”.
Haiti has been plunged into socio-economic chaos since Moise’s assassination, with criminal gangs frequently using rape to terrorize and extort victims, demand money and control food supplies.
In addition, the opposition parties have been calling for fresh presidential and legislative elections, staging street protests supporting their demands.
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution allowing for a multi-national force led by Kenya to restore peace and security in the country at the request of Port au Prince.
In a statement, the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) said in 2023, more than 41 police officers were killed, five disappeared, and 23 police stations were looted, vandalized, and controlled by thugs.
It said an estimated 2,000 police officers resigned, cars and other police equipment were burnt, and more police officers had to separate from their families after the bandits attacked their houses.
In his message, Prime Minister Henry said, “To the brotherly peoples and friendly countries of Haiti, I wish a new year of peace and prosperity during which their active solidarity will continue to be manifested.
”In this time of grace 2024 dedicated to memory, let’s maintain hope for a better future. I wish all my fellow citizens here and in the diaspora a year of tolerance, serenity, dialogue, and peace,” Henry added.
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