Political dialogue paralyzed in Haiti

Havana, September 13 (RHC) The political dialogue that the Government of Haiti, its allies and the opposition should undertake this week, is paralyzed today and without a specific date to resume negotiations.

On Sunday, after the failed visit of the delegation of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that discussions between political actors would continue at the Apostolic Nunciature. However, it was learned that the premises of the headquarters were not available.

Former deputy Antoine Rodon Bien-Aimé, leader of the Political Commitment organization allied to Henry, told the newspaper Le Nouvelliste that the Government was in charge of planning the negotiations, while other voices assured that it was the Caricom delegation. At the moment it is unknown when the dialogue process will begin, which could be mediated by the decision adopted by the United Nations Security Council that will discuss on Friday the deployment of international troops to counter gangs in Haiti.

For their part, signatories of the Kingston Declaration who oppose the Government, such as the Fanmi Lavalas party founded by former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, assured their availability to participate in the dialogue.

The new setback in political negotiations comes after Caricom's third failure to encourage an agreement in Haiti.

In June, representatives of the organization participated in the Jamaica Summit that brought together more than 50 Haitian political actors, which however ended without a consensus. A month later they arrived in Port-au-Prince to promote negotiations, but their visit was described as a failure.

Last week the Group of Eminent Personalities of Caricom arrived in Haiti to continue the dialogue. However, they expressed their disappointment at the “hardening of tone” and the retreat of their positions as demonstrated by the “strident” calls for the resignation of the first Minister Ariel Henry, according to a statement published by the regional organization.

The committee hopes that, with determination, goodwill, and recognition that the interests of the people must be the primary concern of all stakeholders, a solution can be found to return Haiti to the path of regaining constitutionalism and democracy. (Source: PL)