At the end of a high-level inter-American and international mission in Haiti, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), along with representatives from several regional and international institutions, is calling for an urgent acceleration of efforts regarding security and election organization.
At the end of a high-level inter-American and international mission in Haiti, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), accompanied by representatives from several regional and international institutions, is calling for an urgent acceleration of efforts on security and election organization. During a press conference held this Wednesday, August 19, he said that these two priorities are closely linked and crucial for the immediate future of the country.
“We are leaving with a clear conclusion: we must collectively speed up efforts on security and elections,” said the OAS Secretary General, emphasizing that the mission had allowed its members to better understand Haiti’s priorities and needs.The delegation brought together representatives from the OAS, CARICOM, the United Nations, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as from the Inter-American Defense Council and College.
On the security front, the OAS Secretary General expressed his support for the United Nations’ renewal of the mandate for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). But, according to him, simply renewing the mandate is not enough.
He calls on OAS member states and international partners who have pledged personnel, equipment, or financial resources to actually speed up the implementation of their commitments.For the OAS, the results of the GSF must be “visible and measurable as quickly as possible.” Some of the priority goals include reducing the territorial control exercised by gangs, securing the road connecting the international airport, ensuring sustainable access to the airport and port, and restoring safe access to the southern part of the country.
Discussions with the GSF leadership also reinforced the delegation’s belief that the force needs to have the human, financial, logistical, and operational resources necessary to carry out its mission. Mr. Ramdin mentioned that the OAS, through El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Belize, participates in the FRG.Security and elections, two inseparable priorities
The OAS Secretary General also emphasized the need to restore a constitutional and democratically elected government. He called on Haitian political and institutional actors to act in unity and keep their focus on this goal.
Regarding the upcoming elections, scheduled for December 13, he praised the efforts of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the National Identification Office (ONI), and the government.
But the electoral calendar, he believes, now requires “urgent acceleration.” Citizen registration and identification need to be stepped up, as do information, awareness, and voter mobilization campaigns.The OAS also stresses the need to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Any questions about candidates’ eligibility or their ties to illegal activities should, according to the Secretary General, be reviewed in a transparent way and in accordance with Haitian law and international best practices.
“The OAS will continue to constantly monitor both the security situation and the electoral preparations. You can’t separate these two aspects,” he said.Commitments in the health sector
The mission also addressed the issue of health security, particularly through the role played by PAHO in fighting epidemics, caring for displaced populations, providing trauma care, and protecting women and children.
At the end of the visit, the OAS committed, together with PAHO and other partners, to work with the Haitian National Police (PNH) to set up trauma centers specifically to care for injured police officers.
The OAS Secretary General also highlighted several concrete results achieved during the mission.He notably welcomed the formalization of Haiti’s membership in the CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, an operation facilitated by the OAS that should allow the country to have greater access to funding, technical cooperation, and development instruments.
A new $3 million cooperation agreement with the Japanese government was also signed. It is mainly aimed at strengthening civil identification, including the acquisition of 350,000 biometric ID cards, the expansion of mobile registration services, and better coordination between the ONI and the CEP.An agreement was also reached with the Brazilian organization Viva Rio to strengthen social cohesion and expand opportunities for young people and women affected by violence.
In addition, the OAS plans to soon organize, together with private sector organizations, including the Council of Latin American Enterprises (CEAL), a delegation of business leaders to Haiti. The goal will be to identify investment projects that could create jobs and generate income.
