PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry is urging Haitians to trust his Government to restore democratic rule in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country as the United and Canada, two of its strongest allies, congratulated Haiti on its 119th anniversary of political independence while acknowledging the socio-economic and political challenges.
“In 2023, we will have to learn to trust each other. And I ask you to take me at my word when I speak of my Government’s desire to do everything possible to reconstitute our democratic institutions. It is not with mistrust that we assemble a team to face together the dangers that hang over our common homeland,” Henry said.
He said that all true democrats should seize the opportunity offered to them to join the national consensus and contribute with the Government to the definition of the roadmap, which will include the strategies and actions to be implemented for the organization of the next elections.
“We intend to carry out several initiatives simultaneously. The judicial system should see the Court of Cassation rehabilitated to function with sufficient judges and the Superior Council of the Judiciary completed. A Provisional Electoral Council will be set up. His task will be to plan and propose to the Government a reasonable timetable for organizing the following popular consultations.
“Together, we will put all these structures in place without force where everyone can trust him. Together we can do many beautiful things for Haiti. I invite everyone to come and participate in this great combination.”
Henry said that he hoped that in 2023 “the wish that our pupils, our students, and our teachers can return to school and university, from January 3rd to catch up, as much as possible, the days of classes missed since the start of the school year.
“I wish all the families who have had to leave their homes for several months due to insecurity. I hope that this year, they will be able to return to their respective homes. I have a special thought for those who are not free to travel and will not have the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families.”
He said he also wished “courage and prosperity to all women and businessmen in the formal and informal sectors who have experienced difficult situations in recent months and who, despite everything, have not given up.
“I want to tell those who have had to close their doors under the unbearable pressure of armed gangs that we are working so that they can resume their activities,” Henry added.
Meanwhile, the two North American countries are engaged in efforts to bring stability to the country where opposition parties have been staging street demonstrations in their efforts to remove Prime Minister Henry, who came to office in July 2021 following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, from power.
In addition, criminal gangs have been staging kidnappings for ransom and other violent acts in defiance of the police and the army.
Both the United States and Canada have imposed economic and travel bans on prominent Haitian nationals, including former presidents, prime ministers, and legislators, whom they have accused of supporting the criminal gangs’ efforts to subvert justice and overthrow the Government.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last year had seen many challenges for the Haitian people as he congratulated them as they “commemorate your country’s long history of independence and celebrate the start of a new year.
“It is a testament to our two nations’ close partnership that our humanitarian organizations, faith-based organizations, and individual American and Haitian citizens have collaborated to address Haiti’s challenges.
“Together, we have delivered humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of Haitians facing food insecurity, as well as medical supplies and logistical support to combat the spread of cholera,” Blinken said.
The US Secretary of State said while Haiti faces “a difficult road ahead in the new year,” Washington “stands firmly with Haiti as it works to restore security, the rule of law, democratic institutions and economic stability.”
Meantime, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, joined in celebrating Haiti’s Independence Day on Sunday, noting that, since 1804, on January 1st of every year, Haitians and people of African descent commemorate Haiti’s declaration of independence.
He said that the Haitian Revolution, which lasted 15 years, resulted in Haiti becoming the second independent nation in the Americas, the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first country in the Western Hemisphere where Black people successfully overturned slavery.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1954, Trudeau said Canada and Haiti have maintained close ties “due to their geographical proximity and shared official language, as well as the ongoing presence of Canadian organizations supporting development in the country.
“Canada and Haiti are close partners within organizations such as La Francophonie and the United Nations, where we work together to respond to global challenges and build a better future for people,” the Canadian prime minister said. “Today, we must also recognize Haiti’s ongoing, precarious security and humanitarian situation.
“In the face of adversity, Haitians are demonstrating their tremendous strength as a people – and Canada is there to support them. Especially over the past few months, Canada has taken action in response to the egregious situation, including providing additional humanitarian support, coordinating the delivery of vital security equipment purchased by the Haitian Government to help restore security and stability, and implementing robust sanctions on those responsible.”
As a steadfast partner, Trudeau pledged that “Canada will continue to stand with Haitian people as they strive for a brighter future.
“We will continue to work with the international community to advance a Haitian-led solution and support Haitian institutions to restore stability in the country,” he said, stating that Canada is home to over 165,000 Canadians of Haitian ancestry.
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