In response to an invitation from the President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and calls from stakeholders, the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) made an in-person visit to Haiti on 11-16 August 2024 as a follow-up to previous virtual meetings with the Presidential Council, the Prime Minister and the nominating sector leaders.
The EPG felt it was necessary to ascertain and evaluate the progress accomplished in the transition process to be in a position to report to the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The visit permitted an exchange of views and dialogue with representatives of a wide spectrum of Haitian society – the bicephal executive ; the Director-General of the Haitian National Police ; the Minister responsible for women’s affairs ; the nominating sector leaders ; the leadership of political parties not represented on the TPC nor in the government ; the civil society sector including women’s and human rights associations ; the religious and private sectors ; labour unions ; and a visiting diaspora group.
The EPG also met with representatives of Haiti’s major international partners (Canada, France, the USA) as well as the representatives of the United Nations Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) Force Commander.
The visit to the TPC and the Prime Minister facilitated an update on the overall situation, their activities and plans as well as their concerns.
The EPG was encouraged that the TPC appeared to be making some effort to overcome the delays in putting in place a number of the key institutions and entities required under the April 3 Accord between the stakeholders, such as the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the Government Action Oversight Organ (OCAG), the National Security Council, and the National Conference.
The issue of the estrangement between some sectors and their Council representatives and the resulting friction was raised.
The EPG also discussed the unease among the stakeholders resulting from the non-publication of the April 3 Accord, the absence of the proposed critical institutions, Council inaction, and the negative impact on the Council of its inaction on the allegations of corruption against three of its members.
A major concern articulated by both governance institutions was the difficulties experienced by the Haitian police and the Kenyan force in addressing insecurity. This remains the foremost expectation of the Haitian people.
The common concern articulated was that the Kenyan force was both under-staffed and under-equipped and as a result lacked the capacity to hold reclaimed territory.
The need for the provision of adequate funding for the MSSM for an early resolution of these equipment and personnel shortfalls was emphasized — necessities also required by the Haitian police.
For his part, the Prime Minister was acutely aware that the window of opportunity would not last long and that the people of the country expected delivery. He made it clear that the lack of resources and the breakdown of State institutions were impediments, but that efforts were underway to address the critical socio-economic and humanitarian issues that beleaguered the population.
The Prime Minister emphasized that, unless the issue of insecurity is resolved, progress in other critical theatres of government action would very likely be compromised.
In the meetings with the wide scope of civil society representatives and the political parties not represented in the TPC and government, there was the common view that what was needed was a reset and a reconfiguration of the TPC.
There was unanimity with regard to the concerns and issues raised – the inability of the State to improve security ; disappointment over the lack of impact of the presence of the Kenyan forces ; the erosion of public confidence in the TPC, exacerbated by the corruption scandal and strident demands for the three Councillors to be withdrawn ; increasing concern that because of delays, perceived as inaction, the transition process would not meet its deadline of February 2026 for the seating of an elected president.
The political party representatives not linked to the TPC decried the non-inclusive nature of the Council of Ministers and the pecuniary and other advantages that were likely to be enjoyed in the lead-up to elections by those political parties represented on the Council through their designated ministers.
Delays in installing the critical institutions, the need for greater effectiveness in attaining the major objectives in the allotted time, and the corrosive impact of the allegations of corruption have contributed to the fragility of the transition process.
The corruption allegations could not have come at a worse time, and will require speedy resolution in order to preserve the integrity of the institution and public confidence in the transition process.
In this regard, the enquiry of the anti- corruption investigative agency will be of critical importance.
There needs to be a return to the ethos of the agreement in Jamaica of March 11, 2024, which was built on inclusiveness, consensus and accountability.
