International partners supporting the security sector in Haiti held a major joint forum this week at the Montana Hotel where Prime Minister Garry Conille was the main guest. The forum was chaired by André Francois Giroux, Ambassador of Canada.

Ambassador Giroux stressed that this meeting took place at a crucial time when all international actors needed to understand what was happening in the Multinational Mission in Support of the Haitian National Police (PNH).

He stressed that the Kenyan-led mission was essential to Haiti, hence the need for all actors to ensure that they fully supported it. Among the dignitaries present were the United States Ambassador to Haiti Dennis Bruce Hankins and Maria Isabel Salvador of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), key representatives from : The Bahamas, the European Union, Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organization of American States.

In his speech, Prime Minister Conille made an impassioned appeal to international partners to support Haiti, particularly the PNH which, despite their numbers, are under-resourced and under-armed. He called for rapid intervention as the country prepares for the next general elections next year. Recalling the need to ensure security as it is the key to free and fair elections.

Normil Rameau, the Director General of the PNH echoed the Prime Minister while putting pressure on international partners to equip and support the PNH. He noted with great concern that pressure was increasing on all fronts, with the population expecting to see immediate results, especially after the arrival of the first Kenyan contingents.

Godfrey Otunge, the Commander of the Kenyan Forces, made a presentation where he requested the rapid and timely delivery of more equipment to support the mission and for the HNP to improve its operations and effectiveness. He stressed that although the mission is at the pre-deployment stage, he is committed to using all available resources to assist the Haitian National Police in its fight against gangs. This has allowed for constant day and night patrols conducted jointly by the Mission and the Police. He reiterated that this will continue and ensure that all critical government infrastructure that the gangs had taken is recovered. He promised to remain committed to the Haitian people whose only request is to see Peace return to their country where they can resume their businesses in peace.

SL/ HaitiLibre