Haiti - Politic : OCID warns of the risks of aggravation of the Haitian crisis

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Haiti - Politic : OCID warns of the risks of aggravation of the Haitian crisis
23/03/2019 11:25:23

The Citizen Observatory for the Institutionalization of Democracy (OCID) expresses its deep concern at the increasing number of decisions and positions taken by political actors, particularly those of the public authorities, which considerably increase the risk factors for worsening the crisis in Haiti. The Observatory therefore believes it is important to raise the alarm bell to draw the attention of decision-makers to the key issues which, given the latest developments in the political situation, seem to have been totally overshadowed by the political struggles at the highest State level.

The OCID notes that priority is not given to the measures announced by the executive power https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26955-haiti-flash-prime-minister-ceant-reveals-9-emergency-measures.html to strengthen the credibility of anti-corruption institutions or to provide a quick response to the misery of vulnerable populations and fight against the high cost of living.

Even the 2018-2019 budget, which has been returned to the Government for correction by the Chamber of Deputies has still not been finalized and submitted to Parliament https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27261-haiti-economy-progress-of-imf-loan-of-$229m-suspended.html

In a context of strong polarization, the Observatory deplores the inability of decision-makers to engage in a credible dialogue that could lead to the minimum consensus necessary for a thaw of the crisis and the definition of consensual mechanisms for a national basis. All political actors, from all walks of life, as well as those from civil society and the private sector, are unanimous in the recognition that only inclusive and sincere dialogue can create the conditions for political and institutional stability, the holding of elections and the revival of the country's economy.

The OCID notes with great concern that the pockets of insecurity continue to grow in the country and that no energetic and sustained action has hitherto been undertaken to reassure the population. The urgency of the current situation of insecurity calls for rapid and effective interventions.

The Observatory was shocked to learn that the Electoral Council's draft electoral law and organic law, which had been available since November 2018, have still not been introduced in Parliament. This nonchalance is, to say the least, paradoxical when one considers the speed with, for example, the interpellation of a Prime Minister being liquidated.

On the strength of these alarming findings, the OCID recommends to the decision-makers of the country and in particular, to the Head of State and to both Houses of Parliament:

To take strong action affirming their political will to work for the stabilization of the country, in particular through the implementation and strengthening of the economic and social measures announced in February 2019, and the adoption and implementation of implementation of a coherent plan to fight against insecurity;
To take stock of the dialogue initiatives already undertaken, in the light of the criticisms made and the proposals made by various sectors, to finally engage in a more credible dialogue process, which can reassure a maximum of political actors and the Civil society ;
To give priority to the projects or bills that they deserve (including the 2018-2019 budget, the Electoral Council's draft organic law, the draft electoral law, the draft law on political parties) and agreements whose adoption is crucial to avoid worsening the crisis in the months and years to come;
To put an end to the polemic between politicians and state institutions, which only erodes the image of the institutions and further weakens an already fragile and troubled state to fulfill its sovereign functions;
To stop the trivialization of social demands, an attitude that will have no other consequence than the radicalization of the challenge.