High-level engagement on Haiti crisis set for Monday in Jamaica

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) will be spearheading a high-level meeting with regional and international stakeholders in Jamaica on the escalating situation in Haiti.
Caricom Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali made this announcement on Friday evening in an update on efforts of the regional bloc to bring stability and normalcy back to its Member State Haiti and the Haitian people.
“We’ve taken a decision as a Community to write the Heads of State and the Heads of Government of the key countries with whom Haiti has engaged as partners, inviting them to meet with our Heads in Caricom in Kingston, Jamaica on Monday, 11th March, to urgently address this state of affairs and all other matters critical to the stabilisation of security and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti,” Ali stated.

According to the Chairman, “It is viable that this engagement be at the highest level possible to send a clear message of unity between Caricom and the international community as we work together to provide the critical support to the Haitian people at this time of crisis for them.”
In recent days, armed gangs, which had already been wreaking havoc in the Caribbean country, stormed two prisons and released thousands of prisoners into the already-troubled streets of Port-au-Prince and caused a State of Emergency to be declared.
Based on reports, at least one gang leader has threatened “a civil war that will end in genocide” if Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry did not resign and the international community continued to support him. The Prime Minister was left stranded in Puerto Rico as flights in and out of Haiti were cancelled earlier this week.
After being in Guyana last week, drumming up support for a Caricom-backed multinational force to help him restore order in his country, the Haitian PM had travelled to Kenya, where he signed an agreement to mobilise troops for the multinational force.

Since then, however, violence in Port-au-Prince escalated with gangs attacking law enforcement and State institutions, including Police Stations and prisons.
President Ali said in his update on Friday evening that the situation on the ground in Haiti remained dire and was of serious concern to Caricom. He added that the regional Heads of Government remained engaged in deep discussions with the various stakeholders in Haiti including Prime Minister Henry.
“Whilst we’re making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be. We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached. We’ve impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward.”
“We’d like the Haitian people to know that we’ll continue to work with them on their behalf until there is satisfactory resolution that brings stability and relief to them… We will continue to do as much as we can to the best of our ability, dedicating the time and resources in the interest of the Haitian people and Haiti, remembering that the resolution and solution for Haiti must be by the people – must be led by the people, must be owned by the people of Haiti. This continues to be the greatest priority of Heads at this time,” the Caricom Chairman assured.
Since February 29, criminal gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince have conducted coordinated attacks targeting Police Stations, prisons, critical infrastructure, and civilian sites in the city. On March 2, armed gang members raided two penitentiaries, reportedly freeing some 3800 inmates, after which Haitian authorities announced a three-day state of emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew.
At least four Police Officers and five civilians have been killed in the violence since February 29, while nearly 15,000 persons have been displaced after fleeing from the violence.
The United Nations had reported this week that since the beginning of the year, a staggering 1193 persons have been killed, and 692 others injured by gang violence in Haiti. (G8)