PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) -Ahead of an international conference on Haiti led by his country, Canada’s ambassador to the Caribbean nation called for a politically “inclusive accord” to address a deepening constitutional crisis following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
In an interview in Port-au-Prince, diplomat Sébastien Carrière expressed concern about the degradation of the security situation in Haiti, which will be a central topic of a virtual meeting that includes ministers from Canada, the United States and France, among other countries.
The meeting will be led by Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Canada is absolutely concerned with the security situation” in Haiti, Carrière told The Associated Press (AP).
But Carrière added that Haiti’s crisis is multipronged and complex, with economic, humanitarian and security aspects and a looming leadership deadline.
Citing United Nations (UN) numbers, he said “4.6 million Haitians live in a state of humanitarian emergency”.
Canada views elections as inevitable in Haiti given the institutional collapse but their timing is anybody’s guess.
“Canada believes that the security must be reestablished before elections are held… In the current context it would be very difficult to have elections, in particular with competing political accords,” he said.
Many parts of Haitian civil society are calling for “accords” that would allow for a consensual leadership of the country while it waits to renew its institutions through elections.
Henry himself claims to be spearheading one such accord, called the “September 11th accord.” Competing accords have also been developed in recent months. The main rival to Henry’s accord is known as the “Montana Accord”.
With a showdown looming between the Henry government and parts of civil society, Carrière said Canada will take no sides. “If we do have a preference, it is for everyone to get under one accord,” he said.
