KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry is to resign paving the way for a “peaceful transition of power” Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali announced here on Monday night.
Ali, who is also the chairman of the 15-member regional integration movement, CARICOM told a news conference at the end of the high-level meeting on Haiti, that “we are pleased to announce a commitment to a transitional governance arrangement which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power, continuity of governance and action plan for near term security and the road to free and fair elections.
“It further seeks to assure that Haiti will be governed by the rule of law. This commitment reflects hard compromises among a diverse coalition of actors who have put their country above all differences.
“To that end, we acknowledged the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council, and the naming of an interim prime minister.”
Ali said he wanted to thank Henry, who came to power following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, “for his service to Haiti, his service to the Haitian people and for his personal commitment to the furtherance of the development of Haiti and the advancement of the people of Haiti and I ask us to give him an applause”
Henry has been in Puerto Rico since last week, unable to enter his country after having travelled from Kenya where he signed an agreement allowing for a United Nations Security Council-sanctioned international force led by the African country to restore peace and security in his troubled country.
Ali said that it was also agreed that there would be the creation of a transitional presidential council comprised of seven voting members and two voting observers.
He said that the seven voting members will comprise one representative from each of the following groups, including the Collective December 21, EDE/RED, Lavalas, and the private sector.
The non-voting members will be represented by one member from civil society and one member of the interfaith community.
“The council will exercise specified presidential authorities during the transition, operating by majority vote. The exclusion from the transitional presidential council of anyone who is currently on a charge indictment or has been convicted in any jurisdiction, anyone who is under UN sanction, anyone who intends to run in the next election in Haiti, anyone who opposes the UN Security Council resolution 2699.
Ali said that the “transitional presidential council will swiftly select and appoint an interim prime minister.
“The transitional presidential council will together with the interim prime minister appoint an inclusive Council of Ministers. The transitional presidential council will hold the relevant and possible powers of the Haitian presidency during the transition period, until an elected government is established.
“The transitional presidential council will undertake the following: appoint an inclusive Council of Ministers; co-sign the orders, decrees and to sign off on the agenda of the Council of Ministers; set the essential criteria for the selection of an impartial provisional electoral council; and, establish the provisional electoral council. “
He said it will also make arrangements for a peaceful transition, ensure continuity of governance and establish a national security council.
It will continue collaboration with all members of the international community for accelerated deployment of the multinational security support mission.
“It is agreed that implementation of these measures will be concluded in parallel. The parties also make specific individual commitments regarding principles of inclusion, integrity, restoration of peace, and an orderly transition of power. These shared and individual commitments can represent important steps towards facilitating increased humanitarian access to help ease the suffering of the Haitian people”
Ali said that the international community stands ready to partner with Haiti to achieve these goals.
“Haitian participants must now fully implement their commitments, Haitians deserve a country where children can go to school and their parents know they will be safe. We commend the willingness and courage of Haitian stakeholders to commit to put Haiti back on a path towards democracy, stability, and prosperity. With a framework in place that eliminates a path forward. It is incumbent upon all imploring all parties, all stakeholders, all Haitians to be patient.
“This process requires patience, let us be patient. Let us give a bit, let us sacrifice a bit and give this agreement a chance to work — to enter into a process of national dialogue and to lay the groundwork for a transition that is based on inclusivity encourages participation by all stakeholders and paves the way for elections as soon as possible.
“This is the only sustainable path, the future of strong democratic institutions, peaceful resolution of conflict and security and prosperity of all Haitians,” Ali added.
When the foreign troops sent to invade Haiti — just as the Americas invaded the country in the past — start being killed in large numbers by the organized gangs funded by wealthy Haitian elites, they will make a hasty retreat.
It would be far better for the world to send these troops to Cuba to overthrow the wicked communist government there instead, a regime that had enslaved the populace since Castro’s illegal overthrow of a democratically elected government in 1959.
The world needs to leave Haiti alone to sort out problems of its own creation in its own way.