Antigua and Barbuda is among three Caribbean states that have pledged to send
military personnel to Haiti as part of efforts to restore law and order in that strife-
torn Caribbean country.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed this to Point Express newspaper
overnight. He said, however, there was no determination at this point on how many
members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) will be dispatched to
Haiti or just how soon.
The Associated Press news agency has reported that the Biden administration
pledged $100 million on Friday to support a proposed Kenyan-led multinational
force to restore security to conflict-ravaged Haiti and urged other nations to make
similar contributions.
“Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US would provide
logistics, including intelligence, airlift, communications, and medical support to
the mission, which still needs to be approved by the UN Security Council.
Other than Kenya, which would head the operation, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and
Antigua and Barbuda have pledged to deploy personnel,” AP reported.
As recent as last Friday when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly
in New York City, PM Browne noted that the recent mission by the CARICOM
Eminent Persons Group, seeking a resolution to Haiti’s political deadlock, voiced
deep concerns over the rising dominance of gangs and the ensuing human rights
crisis.
“The immediate imperatives are clear: An urgent, comprehensive, coordinated
intervention is required; that will concurrently restore governance, security, and the
rule of law while resolving the humanitarian needs.
“The CARICOM Eminent persons strongly recommended that a broad-based
transitional government is the linchpin for effective governance. It is our aspiration
that this proposed representative transitional government materialises, to provide
the necessary leadership that is required; with external assistance to restore order
and bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Haitian people,” he stated.
Antigua and Barbuda, the prime minister emphasized, stands resolutely in
solidarity with the Haitian people.
“In this regard, I reaffirm my government’s pledge to collaborate with all Haitian
stakeholders, and with the international community, in the efforts to reinstate the
rule of law, restoring democracy, and assisting with security and humanitarian
relief,” he reiterated.
The people of Haiti deserve no less, according to the prime minister in his UNGA
address.
