The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) visited Haiti from July 12 to 15, 2023, as agreed at the end of the meeting of Haitian stakeholders in Jamaica from June 11 to 13, 2023 cours-du-pm.html to continue its facilitation of the inter-Haitian dialogue based on the results of the meeting in Jamaica.

Emphasis was placed on the main proposals presented in Jamaica. These included commitments made by Prime Minister Henry to expand the High Transitional Council and form a Government of National Unity in response to the call for greater inclusion. Concerned about the sweeping powers enjoyed by the prime minister, the main opposition political and civil society parties had proposed a governance framework closer to the intent and spirit of the constitution by proposing the formation of a presidential college alongside a prime minister. They also stressed the importance of confidence-building measures. To better complete their position, they joined forces and signed the Kingston Joint Declaration at the end of the meeting in Jamaica

During this visit, in addition to the exchanges with the Prime Minister and the main political and civil society actors, the EPG met representatives of the business community and a group of people specialized in security, human rights and marginalized social groups whose ideas were useful.

Aware that the mediation effort would take time, the EPG rather than speaking of failure https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40038-haiti-news-zapping.html the Group has focused on the discussion process in order to put in place a mechanism to move forward given the difficulties inherent in negotiations involving a large number of protagonists. The objective has been achieved to some extent . The principle of reducing the negotiating group of government, opposition and civil society representatives to a manageable size was more or less accepted, pending the outcome of internal consultations by one of the three groups on a revised draft process protocol.

Progress has also been made in reducing the points to be negotiated. Other positives included broad agreement on the issue of expanding the High Transitional Council and greater cohesion on security, the issue being not the need for security assistance but what form it should take.

The EPG recommended that the discussions between the different groups that have taken place since the meeting in Jamaica continue in order to reduce the differences between the protagonists. He also stressed the importance of confidence building by the government. The EPG has informed that it will return to Haiti in the coming weeks to renew its facilitation efforts .

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40038-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39779-haiti-politic-ariel-henry-back-from-jamaica-empty-handed-video-speech.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39754-haiti-politic-opening-of-the-summit-on-the-haitian-crisis-in-jamaica-pm-speech.html

SL/ HaitiLibre