KINGSTON, March 12 (JIS):
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has hailed the Haitian stakeholders for their willingness and courage in committing to put the country on a path towards democracy, stability, and prosperity.
The commitments, which will facilitate a transitional governance arrangement, were outlined by CARICOM Chairman and President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, at a press conference in Kingston on Monday night (March 11), which followed a high-level meeting on Haiti.
He said the shared and individual commitments represent important steps towards facilitating increased humanitarian access to help ease the suffering of the Haitian people.
“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,” he added.
Dr. Ali announced the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, as head of the country’s government upon the establishment of a transitional Presidential Council and the naming of an interim prime minister.
The presidential council will be comprised of seven voting members and two non-voting observers.
The seven voting members will entail one representative from each of the following groups – Collectif, December 21, EDE/RED/Compris Historique, Lavalas, Montana, Pitit Desalin, and the private sector.
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The non-voting members will be represented by one member from civil society and one from the inter-faith community.
Dr. Ali said that the body will exercise “specified presidential authorities” during the transition, operating by majority vote.
“The transitional Presidential Council will, together with the interim prime minister, appoint an inclusive Council of Ministers. It will hold the relevant and possible powers of the Haitian presidency during the transition period, until an elected government is established,” he further outlined.
Other crucial duties include the co-signing of orders, decrees and sign-off on the agenda of the Council of Ministers, setting the essential criteria for the selection of an impartial provisional electoral council and establishing the body.
The transitional Presidential Council will also establish a National Security Council and continue collaboration with all members of the international community for the “accelerated deployment of the multinational security support mission authorised by United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2699/2023,” the CARICOM Chairman stated.
Excluded from the Council are anyone currently on a charge, indictment or who has been convicted in any jurisdiction; anyone who is under UN Sanction; anyone who intends to run in the next election in Haiti; and anyone who opposes the UNSCR 2699.
CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS
