CARICOM closely monitoring situation in Haiti

THE GUYANA-BASED secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed concern about recent developments in the French-speaking member state of Haiti.

In a statement on Thursday, CARICOM said that it is monitoring the situation very closely and is urging “all stakeholders to be guided by the constitution, respect for the rule of law and the electoral process and in that regard, is heartened by the fact that an electoral timetable has been set”.

“The community is also deeply anguished about the security situation, including the actions of armed gangs which threaten the maintenance of law and order in the country and disrupt the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.”

The regional body issued the statement following reports that earlier this week, Opposition parties in Haiti declared 72-year-old judge Joseph Mecene Jean-Louis the country’s interim leader, a day after an alleged coup plot was foiled, as they insisted that President Jovenel Moise must step down.

In a video message, Jean-Louis, the longest-serving judge in the Supreme Court, said he “accepted the choice of the Opposition and civil society, to serve (his) country as interim president for the transition”.

Moise, who has ruled by decree since mid-January, has stated he would hand over power to the winner of the elections, but would not step down until his term expires in 2022.

However, the Opposition has rejected his interpretation of the constitution and has insisted his term came to an end on Sunday.

“We are waiting for Jovenel Moise to leave the National Palace, so that we can get on with installing Mr Mecene Jean-Louis,” Opposition figure Andre Michel told international news agency

Based on these latest developments, CARICOM has called on all parties to engage in “meaningful dialogue in the interest of peace and stability and strongly urges that action be taken to foster a safe environment, a return to normal life and the building of sustainable democratic institutions”.