CARICOM calls for an urgent meeting in Jamaica to discuss Haiti

Following a series of public statements and updates, CARICOM has held an emergency meeting in Jamaica to go over potential solutions for the widespread gang violence in Haiti. Haiti is currently in a state of political unrest following the recent siege of Port-Au-Prince.

President of Guyana and CARICOM Chairman Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali released a third public statement on the 8^th of March, the video lasts over three minutes and specifically addresses concerns surrounding CARICOM member Haiti. Ali is quoted saying “The Caribbean Community remain engaged in deep discussions with the various stakeholders in Haiti and Prime Minister Henry... We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached.”

He goes on to say “We have taken the decision as a Community to write the Heads of State and Heads of Government of the key countries… inviting them to meet with our Heads in CARICOM in Kingston, Jamaica on Monday the 11th of March, to urgently address this state of affairs and all other matters critical to the stabilization of security and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti.”

Ali concludes by saying “We would like the Haitian people to know that we will continue to work with them, on their behalf until there is a satisfactory resolution that brings stability and relief to them.”

The residents of Port-Au-Prince have been forced to deal with attacks targeted towards the presidential palace, the international airport, and police headquarters in the capital; alongside upwards of 4000 inmates being broken free under the same targeted attacks.

The United Nation’s migration branch, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief in Haiti stated “Haitians are unable to lead a decent life. They are living in fear, and every day, every hour this situation carries on, the trauma gets worse.”

The perpetrators have the goal of removing interim president Ariel Henry from power, who was supposed to be relieved of his duties in February, but instead struck a power-sharing deal with the opposition until the next elections take place.

The turmoil was supposed to be contained through the deployment of Kenyan soldiers after receiving the green light from the UN Security Council but has been put in legal limbo after being held back by Kenyan Courts.

A three-day curfew was put in place for the well-being of the average citizen, however, it was extended to a month along with a curfew. The enforcement of these guidelines is somewhat casual considering Haiti’s severely understaffed and ill-equipped police staff.