Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Monday said that Haiti’s interim leader, Dr. Ariel Henry, needs to “step aside” and allow for efforts to continue unimpeded in finding a solution to the socio-economic and political situation in Haiti.
Browne is among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders attending the 46th regular summit of regional leaders in Guyana, where the Haitian issue has dominated the four-day gathering.
In a telephone interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Prime Minister Browne said he believes Henry’s presence in the government is “part of the problem” as various stakeholders look to find a lasting solution to Haiti’s problem that has increased with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 and the emergence of criminal gangs terrorizing citizens.
“With no disrespect, my dear friend Henry is part of the problem, and many in Haiti believe that the interventions that the stakeholder groups plan (are) intended to prop up Henry.
“Now, even though that is not so, we have to deal with that perception, and we are of the view that Henry has to transition and to become an honest broker and to have a power-sharing agreement with the others in Haiti, so it doesn’t appear as though we are trying to stabilize Haiti for his benefit for him to continue….
“At the end of the day, it barely has any legitimacy, and we have to be careful that perception is not seen as the reality of the Haitian people, which could only inflame the situation,” Browne told CMC.
Earlier, CARICOM chairman and host President Dr. Irfaan Ali told the opening of the plenary session that discussions on Haiti by the regional leaders started over two days ago.
“CARICOM heads met on Saturday and commenced discussions on our challenges with Haiti. This morning with the Friends of Haiti, an expanded grouping that included
All the stakeholders and partners working with Haiti,” Ali said.
“We are hopeful that sometime today, we will be able to point the Haitian people, the region, and the global community in the direction through which long-lasting, sustainable solutions can be achieved.
“Of course, this requires all stakeholders in Haiti, especially to give a bit, to compromise a bit, and to express a collective willingness to achieve the outcomes that we are setting ourselves to achieve,” Ali told the meeting, which is also being attended by Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry.
Prime Minister Browne told CMC that he is of the view that even before any intervention in Haiti to stabilize the French-speaking CARICOM country, “the political situation with Henry has to be addressed, and he has to be as generous as possible.
“He has said that he doesn’t wish to stay on. So, if indeed he is an interim, let’s say, President, he should not have any problems having a power-sharing agreement with the other…political stakeholders in Haiti.
“So Henry has a role to play and could be the one who could effect urgent changes and help accelerate the establishment and operationalization of this multinational group to stabilize Haiti.
Last month, the Kenya High Court ruled against sending troops to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) to restore peace and security in Haiti.
Last October, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the MSS to back Haiti’s beleaguered police force, which Kenya offered to lead. A 2022 sanctions regime targeting gang leaders and their financiers was also renewed.
Earlier this month, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, urged the international community to do more to help deal with Haiti’s security, political, and economic situation.
Asked what Henry’s position has been during the deliberations by regional leaders, prime Minister Browne said the Haitian leader “talks a good talk, but as I told him this morning in his presence, he has to walk the walk.
“So we are not judging him now by his articulations. We are looking at his commitments in practice, and what he would have done in the future will determine whether he is a serious person who wants to see peace and stability within Haiti”.
Browne said he remains optimistic that the summit will end with a “positive” note on Haiti, saying, “From the discussions we held this morning, I would say they were frank, and at least Antigua and Barbuda went as far as calling upon the United States and France to make troops available and even to make equipment available.
“We believe that the developing countries should lead the fight. They should be augmented by the US and certainly from France and Canada.”
He said he believes that the US, Canada, and France were “erroneously” told and dissuaded from having troops on the ground in Haiti.
” I will accept that no one would want to see any intervention…by the US, France or Canada. But I certainly do not receive the idea that they should not participate. I am of the view that the US, in particular, with their superior artillery and their superior training, their expertise are needed on the ground”.
Prime Minister Browne said the region’s last desire is for a mission to Haiti that would fail.
“This mission has to be successful, and I think it should be viewed as a critical mission in restoring sustainable peace and prosperity to the Haitian people, and that is why I felt that it be expanded beyond the lead of Kenya…and include officers from the United States, Canada, France, and even the United Kingdom”.
Browne told CMC that the French have not committed ‘sufficient money’ towards the MSS, adding, “Perhaps we need to remind them of their historical role in Haiti and the legacy they have left behind.
“The fact that they have only given between three to four US dollars is ridiculous. You know it is an insult to the process, and the French need to step up,” Browne told CMC.
