Caribbean leaders recently announced late on that, in response to international pressure to gather funds for a foreign armed force to combat gang violence in Haiti, the beleaguered prime minister, Ariel Henry, has agreed to hold general elections by mid-2025.
Following a four-day conference in Guyana, members of the Caricom regional trade bloc said that Henry concurred that elections must be held to fulfill this aim, and they must collaborate with civil society organizations and the opposition.
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According to the statement, elections and the restoration of democracy in a poor nation devoid of elected leaders would need compromises from all parties involved in Haitian society, including Henry.
“Caricom heads expressed their deep concern over the continued deterioration of the security, humanitarian, and political situation and the continued delay in overcoming the political stalemate, which has blocked the possibility of free and fair elections,” the statement bloc noted.
“Caricom heads underlined the critical and immediate need for a clear political path forward which should be participatory and inclusive.”
The United States, Canada, and the UN will form an assessment team to assist Haiti in getting ready for elections.
Henry’s office spokesperson declined to comment. Henry had left Guyana and was headed for Kenya, according to authorities.
Since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July 2021, Henry has often promised to organize elections. However, he and other authorities claim that gang violence has prevented him from following through on these pledges.
At the summit’s last press conference, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis described the situation in Haiti as “truly terrible.”
PM Davis noted, “Haiti is hemorrhaging. … We are deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of the security situation.”
He stated that as the region works to find a political solution for the nation, Caricom would shortly convene a gathering of important Haitian players in Jamaica.
A Kenyan police force that was being sent to Haiti with U.N. support has encountered legal challenges in that East African country, as a judge has declared the proposal to be unlawful.
