PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — The United States is urging all political stakeholders to put aside their differences and work towards “a peaceful and democratic solution” to the ongoing political and economic situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community country, where Opposition parties are demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse.
“The United States continues to urge all of Haiti’s political, economic and civil society stakeholders to enter without delay or pre-conditions, an inclusive dialogue to identify and pursue a path to form a functioning government that will serve the Haitian people and address the country’s pressing economic and social concerns,” Washington said in a statement posted on the US Embassy website here.
The political and economic crisis in Haiti was triggered by the publication in January 2019 of a report on the Venezuela-funded PetroCaribe Oil initiative, under which Caracas provided oil and other petroleum products to Haiti under a preferential agreement.
Moïse, who came to power in 2017, has denied any wrongdoing and has named former prime minister Evans Paul to head a team that would hold discussions with all stakeholders to discuss a way forward.
Speaking on a radio programme here earlier this week, Moïse reiterated the call for a national dialogue, insisting, “I am not attached to a mandate.
“I am hooked on reforms. I want to talk about constitutional reform, for example. I want to talk about the reform of the energy sector, the digitisation of the public administration. Today we are in an acute crisis, but we can take advantage of this crisis to make this crisis an opportunity. We need stability in the country and to find that stability, we have to attack the system,” Moïse told radio listeners.
In its statement, Washington said that Haiti’s leaders need to work together “toward a peaceful and democratic solution now, with an increased sense of urgency.
“The Haitian people are suffering; we stand with those Haitians who value peace while courageously calling for accountability. The United States deplores the current gridlock in Haiti, which directly contributes to violence, a spike in humanitarian needs, and interruption of daily life for the Haitian people,” the statement added. Continue reading