Avellon Williams
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI- Several Caribbean leaders, including Haitian stakeholders, met in Jamaica yesterday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
The deteriorating situation in Haiti must be addressed, said CARICOM chairman Philip Davis.
“We have come to help and not because the task is easy,” said Davis during the opening of the three-day meeting in Kingston.
“We have come here precisely because the task is extremely difficult. Others can resolve the easy things, but a critical responsibility of leadership is to address those issues which are extremely difficult.
“The responsibility falls to all of us – to all of you – to make a supreme effort to find an effective solution.
“The challenges and struggles taking place in the Republic of Haiti have been present for far too long.”
“If there existed a perfect solution, we probably would have found it by now.
“And so, I think it is important that we recognize that what we are striving for, may, in the end, not be perfect, but will likely be something that, in the immediate term, is effective.”
Any plan to resolve Haiti’s woes must be led by Haitians, Davis said.
The violence in Haiti has escalated since the assassination of President Jovenel Mose in 2021.
According to the World Food Program, nearly 4.9 million Haitians are going hungry due to a deepening food crisis.
The United Nations has reported an increase in murders, rapes, kidnappings, and lynchings in Haiti.
Violence is primarily concentrated in Port-au-Prince and gang-related, according to officials.
It was reported last month that mobs began attacking and killing suspected gang members on the streets.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said yesterday that every effort should be made to find a solution to Haiti’s problems.
“As we facilitate the space for dialogue and consultation to be held amongst yourselves, we trust that all parties will approach these discussions with mutual respect and in a spirit of openness and goodwill,” he said.
The event was attended by dozens of Haitian stakeholders, including Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
CARICOM has appointed the Eminent Persons Group to facilitate the meeting.
Former Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie, former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and former St. Lucian Prime Minister Kenny Anthony are among the group.
RELATED:
1 Comment
Kuddos👏🏾to our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean sphere. As we all know, the world will watch is dismay the carnage taking place in Haiti like they watched the Rwanda genocide just about 30 years ago. My mantra is that we have to be the source of solutions to our own problems, period!