–regional, international leaders conclude, as violence hits tipping point
—US pledges more funding for security, humanitarian aid, following talks led by CARICOM on possible solution to ongoing crisis

WITH gangs now ruling Haiti’s capital Port Au Prince, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have announced that multinational security support is being mobilised to assist Haitian authorities in restoring law and order.

On Monday, CARICOM’s Chairperson and Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali lead a multi-stakeholder meeting with both regional and international partners in Kingston, Jamaica.

After hours of intense meetings and discussions, Dr. Ali, during a press briefing, said that CARICOM’s ‘singular and primary concern’ remains the citizens of Haiti.

“We have held deep and honest discussions with our Haitian brothers and sisters who represent the political and civil society and faith-based leaders of the Haitian people, to attempt to arrive at the consensus around an effective, inclusive, transitional government structure to take country to general elections in the shortest possible time,” the Guyanese Head of State said.

Over the last few weeks, CARICOM leaders have been engaged in deep discussions with stakeholders in Haiti and across the region, following intensified waves of violence in the sister state.

“…We must all reach a consensus among ourselves and our support for the Haitian people, the difficult decisions we make here today would have to be in the interest of the Haitian people and we must be clear sighted, strategic and laser focused on acting on their interest,” Dr Ali said while stressing that talks have not been easy.

The CARICOM Chair further noted that emphasis must not only be placed on an immediate solution, but also on the need for ‘building blocks’ for political stability and the long-term recovery and development of the country.

According to international news reports, heavily armed gangs attempted to take over Haiti’s main international airport, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the most recent attack on important government locations in a wave of violence that also included a mass escape from the nation’s two largest prisons.

They wanted to stop 74-year-old Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry from returning from his trip to Kenya, where he had travelled to in order to sign an agreement on the deployment of a multinational police force to the Caribbean island.

Henry had travelled to Kenya after attending the CARICOM summit.

The CARICOM country is still experiencing an upsurge in violence and in response to this the United Nations Security Council has approved multinational security support, Jamaica’s Prime Minster Andrew Holness disclosed, while addressing the news briefing.

According to Holness, Haiti needs new cohesive domestic resolve, and the support of its partners.

“The people of Haiti deserve the opportunity to experience another way of being, to determine their destiny, to secure their rights and to be free from oppressive forces within and without.” Holness said.

Noting that Haiti is now at its ‘tipping point,’ Holness stressed that the multinational security support is a necessary and critical first step to restore basic law and order to the country, to allow for stability and the distribution of much-needed humanitarian assistance to citizens who have been severely affected by the distress at the hands of criminal gangs.

MORE SUPPORT
To further support the country, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States’ Department of Defence will double its support for the mission from US$100 million to US$ 200 million; this will bring the monetary pledge to US$300 million.

Aside from this, the US has also pledged US$33 million for humanitarian aid.

“Only the Haitian people should determine their own future, not anyone else but all of us CARICOM, the United States, our other partners we can help…we can help restore foundation and security; we can address the tremendous suffering that innocent Haitians are experiencing,” Blinken said.

Two weeks ago, a collective decision determined that the regional bloc will take the lead in conducting a needs assessment to support the significant advancement in hosting elections in Haiti.
Leaders recently converged in Guyana for the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

Confidential meetings were conducted with Henry, who participated in the extended four-day summit.

At that meeting, it was revealed that a consensus was met for democratic elections to be held in the French-speaking state by August 2025.

In 2018, protests began in communities throughout Haiti in response to increased fuel prices. Over time, those protests evolved into demands for the resignation of Jovenel Moïse, the then-president of Haiti, who was later assassinated on July 7, 2021 at his residence in the capital.

The CARICOM country is still experiencing an upsurge in violence. Henry’s de-facto administration is being targeted for overthrow by Chérizier and his group.

Haiti’s de facto rulers have intensified their efforts to expedite the process of appointing a new presidential council to govern the nation.