HAITI is once again in the international spotlight. The country, for all practical purposes, is without a constitutional government. In fact, any semblance of governance appears to be in the hands of ‘rogue’ elements, many of whom are gang-related and prison escapees.

Haiti has been without elected officials since January, 2023. The current crisis situation resulted from the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, which caused widespread violence.

Political turmoil has weakened the capacity of the state and undermined security and the delivery of social services. Almost 90 per cent of Haitians live in a state of poverty. More than half of the population are experiencing food insecurity. The depreciation of the Haitian currency has impacted adversely on its capacity to import food.

The situation is worsened by above average temperatures which has impacted adversely on agricultural production. Over the past few years, devastating earthquakes and tropical storms have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and the disruption of income-generating activities. Health care services are on the brink of collapse.

Politically, about half of the country, including the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is under the control of armed groups. Gangs in recent months have managed to exert control due to a weak government which in turn led to high levels of corruption and graft.

It is against the above background that an emergency meeting of CARICOM leaders and other stakeholders including the United States, Canada and France was held to try and come up with solutions on the way forward.

Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali who is the current Chair of CARICOM, described the situation in Haiti as “dire” and said that the ongoing talks to restore stability and normalcy must continue, even as he cautioned that some Haitian groups are not “where they need to be.”

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he would discuss a proposal “developed in partnership with CARICOM and Haitian stakeholders to expedite a political transition to Haiti.”

CARICOM is playing a lead role in arriving at a solution to the crisis situation in Haiti. Haiti in 2002 became the only French-speaking country to be admitted to full membership of CARICOM, and has become an integral part of the Caribbean Community.

It is, therefore, in the interest of the regional grouping to ensure peace and stability in that member state.

As noted by President Ali, the way forward for Haiti is to have deep and honest discussions with “our Haitian brothers and sisters who represent the political and civil society and faith-based leaders, the leaders of the Haitian people with the view to arriving at a consensus around an effective, inclusive and transitional government structure to take the country to general elections in the shortest possible time.”

The bedrock of any modern and civilised society rests on respect for democratic norms and the rule of law. Any departure from these fundamental principles could result in anomie and chaos as the lessons of Haiti have so painfully demonstrated.

One can only hope that peace and stability would return to that beleaguered nation, so rich in history and culture, within the shortest possible time.

The most recent development has been the decision by Haiti’s unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign once a transition council and temporary replacement have been appointed.
This is a welcome development which, hopefully, can result in some measure of political stability and normalcy for Haiti and the Haitian people.