The poorest country in America is this Wednesday, March 13, awaiting the formation of a transition council, which plans to replace the prime minister, Ariel Henry, after announcing his resignation this week, while more representatives of the international community abandon the nation. In the last few hours, the UN reported that it is withdrawing its non-essential personnel, due to the serious security crisis. Meanwhile, the European Commission announced €20 million in humanitarian aid, while the Kenyan Government reaffirmed its commitment to leading a security mission once the interim board is named.
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Non-essential United Nations personnel will begin leaving the country starting this Wednesday, March 13, due to the volatile security situation, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed.
“The UN will not abandon Haiti. Colleagues carrying out life-saving activities will remain in Haiti to continue operations. We continue to closely monitor the situation,” the spokesperson added.
The measure comes after last Monday, March 11, the European Union removed all of its diplomatic staff from the country, also citing the wave of violence that is worsening day by day in the nation.
On Sunday, March 10, the United States Army evacuated non-essential personnel from its embassy by air and announced the deployment of more soldiers to protect its diplomatic headquarters.
Between uncertain future and gang control, Haiti hopes to create the presidential council
Between an uncertain political future and gang control, Haiti awaits the creation of a presidential transition council. The future of the country points in two directions: traditional political power and the increasing control of gangs.
The country is waiting for the formation of a presidential council, of nine members, which once confirmed will make the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry effectiveas announced by the political leader in a video from Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, March 12.
On Tuesday, March 12, the US Government indicated that the advice should be confirmed in the next 24 or 48 hours.
The measure – agreed last Monday, March 11 at an emergency meeting by the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which included the participation of Canada, the US, France and the UN – is considered by international partners as the best hope to calm the violence that is worsening in the nation.
The gangs, which control most of Port-au-Prince, the capital, pushed for the premier's resignation, while violent attacks in the streets escalated.
Washington stressed that it hopes that the appointment of a new Haitian prime minister will take place “without further delay.” However, this step is far from solving the deep crisis of the impoverished territory, which faces a serious security, humanitarian, economic, political and social situation, which has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Since then, the gangs have increased their dominance and currently control most of the capital. Although they pushed for Henry's departure, they also do not endorse any measure for the nation that is promoted by foreign nations, a discourse that they repeat while they continue to sow terror with murders, sexual violence, robberies and kidnappings, among other crimes.
Adding to the serious outlook is the disagreement of many citizens regarding the solution to the crisis proposed by Caricom. On Tuesday, March 12, dozens of activists demonstrated in front of the Canadian embassy, one of the key actors for the consensus reached on the nation's political landscape.
The EU announces 20 million euros in humanitarian aid for Haiti
The European Commission said Wednesday that it has allocated €20 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti, where unprecedented levels of violence by criminal gangs are dramatically increasing the humanitarian needs of civilians across the country.
The funding will help humanitarian agencies address the most urgent needs of the inhabitants, in terms of protection, food assistance, nutrition, water and sanitation and health care, Brussels stressed.
Kenya reaffirms commitment to security mission in Haiti
The agreement signed on March 1 between the outgoing Haitian Prime Minister and the President of Kenya, William Ruto, to deploy around 1,000 African police officers in the Caribbean country has been put on hold.
However, this Wednesday the Kenyan president reiterated his commitment to continue moving forward with the multinational security mission, authorized by the UN, once the transition board is named.
“Kenya will assume leadership of the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti as soon as the presidential council is established,” Ruto highlighted after a conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The president issued the message in a reassuring tone after his country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the postponement of the measure.
“Without a political administration in Haiti, there is no anchor on which a police deployment can rest, so the Government (of Kenya) will wait for the establishment of a new constitutional authority in Haiti before making further decisions on the matter,” he said. on Tuesday the Kenyan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'oei.
In October 2023, the UN Security Council authorized the sending of the security mission to support the Haitian National Police, after being requested a year earlier by the Haitian premier to eradicate gangs.
But while the measure remained unfulfilled, violence increased, especially after the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, remained in office, despite the fact that on February 7 the deadline set for him to call elections and leave power expired. .
With Reuters, AP and EFE
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