Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Monday said that Haiti’s
interim leader, Dr. Ariel Henry, needs to “step aside” and allow for efforts to
continue unimpeded in finding a solution to the socio-economic and political
situation in Haiti.
PM Browne is among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders attending the
46th regular summit of regional leaders in Guyana where the Haitian issue has so
far dominated the four-day gathering.
In a telephone interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation, (CMC) Prime
Minister Browne said he believes Henry’s presence in the government is “part of
the problem” as various stakeholders look to find a lasting solution to Haiti’s
problem that has been increased with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise
in July 2021 and the emergence of criminal gangs terrorising citizens.
“With no disrespect, my dear friend Henry is part of the problem and I think there
are many in Haiti who believe that the interventions that are planned by the
stakeholder groups (are) intended to prop up Henry.
“Now, even though that is not so, we have to deal with that perception and we are
of the view that Henry has to transition and to become an honest broker and to
have a power sharing agreement with the others in Haiti so it doesn’t appear as
though we are trying to stabilise Haiti for his benefit for him to continue….
“At the end of the day he barely has any legitimacy and we have to be careful that
perception is not seen as the reality of the Haitian people which could only serve to
inflame the situation,” Browne told CMC.
Earlier, CARICOM chairman and host President, Dr. Irfaan Ali told the opening of
the plenary session that discussions on Haiti by the regional leaders started over
two days ago.
“CARICOM heads met on Saturday and commenced discussions on the challenges
we have with Haiti. Monday morning with the Friends of Haiti, an expanded
grouping that included all the stakeholders and partners working with Haiti,” Ali
said.
“We are hopeful that sometime after we will be able to point the Haitian people,
the region and the global community in the direction through which we believe
long lasting sustainable solutions can be achieved.
“Of course, this requires all stakeholders in Haiti, especially to give a bit, to
compromise a bit and to express a collective willingness to achieve the outcomes
that we are setting ourselves to achieve,” Ali told the meeting which is also being
attended by Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry.
Prime Minister Browne told CMC that he is of the view that even before any
intervention in Haiti to stabilise the French-speaking CARICOM country “the
political situation with Henry has to be addressed and he has to be magnanimous as
possible.
Last month, the Kenya High Court ruled against sending troops to Haiti as part of
the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) to restore peace and security in Haiti.
Last October, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the MSS to
back Haiti’s beleaguered police force, which Kenya offered to lead. A 2022
sanctions regime, targeting gang leaders and their financiers, was also renewed.
Earlier this month, President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, urged the
international community to do more to help deal with the security, political and
economic situation in Haiti.
