Kuwait voices concern over political ‘situation’ in Haiti
2.6m Haitians undergoing severe food insecurity
NEW YORK, Oct 17, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi has expressed his country’s concern over the current political situation in Haiti and its negative impacts on the country’s security and stability.
“Based on recent UN Secretary-General’s report regarding the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, the last few months have been characterized by protracted and to date unsuccessful negotiations on the confirmation of a new government, and a looming constitutional crisis caused by the failure to organize elections in time to renew the current legislature,” said Al-Otaibi during a UNSC session on Tuesday night.
“We are gravely concerned over the escalation of violence in Haiti and urge all parties to remain calm, exercise self-restraint, and refrain from carrying out escalating steps,” he noted.
He also added his country welcomes the Haitian President’s call for national dialogue to resolve the current crisis, and praises the national forces’ role in controlling the situations and maintaining security in the country.
Impunity has been a major factor in hindering progress in the Caribbean country and preventing improvements to its judiciary, particularly accountability, Al-Otaibi said, calling on Haitian police and judicial authorities to carry out thorough investigations and implement real accountability for corruption and human right violations. The Kuwaiti diplomat called for continuing efforts to reform the current justice system in Haiti, stressing the importance of regaining Haitian citizens’ trust in their political and economic elites, and granting them peaceful democratic means to build their future.
“Beside the current political and security situation, we are also concerned about the humanitarian situations in Haiti as security conditions continue to deteriorate, making it difficult for delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need for it,” said Al-Otaibi.
He also highlighted some major challenges currently facing Haitian hospitals due to power and fuel shortage, in addition to scarcity of water and other life necessities, adding such burdens extremely affect orphanages, civil protection units, and emergency services. Furthermore, some 2.6 million Haitians have been undergoing severe food insecurity since early this year, Al-Otaibi mentioned, applauding the Central Emergency Response Fund’s allotment of USD five million to empower active humanitarian bodies from responding the Caribbean country’s urgent needs.
He also stressed the need for conducting comprehensive and wide-scale dialogue among Haitians in order to remove political hurdles, reactivate economic, and restore stability in the country.
Al-Otaibi urged all active parties to set aside their differences and special interests for the sake of overcoming the current challenges facing their country, noting it is the only way for secure Haiti’s ability to resume progress toward sustainable development and achieve its 2030 goals.