Dear Sir/Madam;
My name is Saeed Trotter. I am a citizen of Dominica and I live in Trinidad and Tobago, where I am in private practice as an attorney at law.
As a concerned citizen of Caricom, I am requesting information on Caricom’s plans for Haiti.
We understand that Haiti’s current political problem may have its complexities but there is really only one practical solution.
Ariel Henry must step down and someone else be appointed to lead the interim government and negotiate with the armed groups. The armed groups may then agree to foreign intervention by a multinational force. Once security is in place, then arrangements must be made for a free and fair election within the soonest possible time.
There is no other alternative. The authorities must bear responsibility, as there is no room for blaming the poor people who currently make up the armed groups (consistently referred to as “gangs” in the western media). The poor Haitians have been traumatized for years due to the failed policy of the Haitian elite and the international community and any attempt to go to war against the armed groups would result in further genocide of the Haitian people.
The authorities can only take responsibility by having Ariel Henry step down as he has completely lost the confidence of the Haitian people. There is absolutely no debate about this fact.
What has Ariel Henry done in the two years he has been in office, except to allow the security condition in Haiti to completely deteriorate?
Does Caricom expect a population to trust a leader when there are credible news reports that he was implicated in the assassination of Mr. Jovenel Moise??
This is the last statement that we see on Caricom website in connection with Haiti:
“The Caribbean Community welcomes the decision taken by the Governments of The Bahamas and Jamaica to join Kenya to contribute to a multi-national force in the Republic of Haiti to assist that nation to counter its security challenges.”
Why would Caricom want to send a multinational force, to defend a government that does not have the confidence of its people? Such intervention can only be done sensibly pursuant to a political solution, which is non-existent at this time.
The children of Haiti have been suffering for over two years now and so the time has long passed for such meaningless statements.
We know resources are limited but it costs nothing to give a firm and clear statement demanding that Ariel Henry step down. The international community has already proven, what can only be described as contempt for Haiti and it is therefore up to the regional community to help Haiti. Christ once said “whatever you do to the least of my people, you do to me” .
What is Caricom doing for Haiti?
It would be wise to remember the words of Haile Selassie I : “the indifference of those who could have acted, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered the most has made it possible for evil to triumph”
Please respond to us at the soonest possible time or at least reach a consensus along the lines suggested in this email, which we find to be the only practical solution at this time.
Going forward, we will be monitoring the response of Caricom as a responsible citizen of the Caribbean.
If you follow mainstream media on Haiti situation you’ll find a common denominator of mines, digging, heavy equipment in the middle of Haiti just same as what’s going on in the middle of DR Congo. It’s all a distraction for war that’s avoidable.
See, there was a SOU address just last night and not a single mention of the 60 million African people they call Blacks in America by the same ex-senator who once said he wouldn’t mind if Haiti sank to the bottom of the Atlantic. Figure that one out!
So eloquently said!! Thank you for speaking up.
The plans for the Haitian People in regard to the stabilization of the Country is not in the hands of CARICOM, you are just deluding yourself with such a plea. Yes, I understand your concern as a CARICOM citizen, and there are may of us in the region who share your concern. The problem in Haiti is a Geopolitical problem with sinister forces, and it also includes the people themselves. The the words of Haile Selassie you quote is meaningless, and does not apply to this situation when you are dealing with sinister nefarious forces aided by Geopolitics with an agenda.
The Haitian people have always been betrayed by their Leaders, from their Independence in1804 to the present leader, as the saying goes what luck for rulers that men do not think. The presence of foreign Troops in Haiti is not the solution to the problem which has plagued the Country for over 300 years.
Very well said Mr. Trotter. The country is not his to do as his handlers please.
Recommendations are fully endorsed by the concern CARICOM people.
we really need a peaceful transition, we don’t need war, no more trouble.
Peace and Love amongst humanity
The complexities and History of Haiti are endless. How can we expect peace with food and fuel insecurity? How can we expect peace with little to no employment? How can we expect peace with a dilapidated infrastructure, that was made worse by successive natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. How can we expect peace and security with the implementation and practice of a European style government that fails to meet the needs and challenges of a CARICOM Member State, in an increasingly challenging global environment? How can expect peace and security with currency fluctuations, the inability to feed one’s population and insane customs and excise duties? How can we expect peace and security with a health care system, that is nonexistent at best and one that consistently fails to provide much needed care, for those who need it the most.
Dear Saeed Trotter,
In the esteem words of David Michael Rudder, “Haiti I’m Sorry.” This is the most you will receive from CARICOM. As a CARICOM National, I took the liberty to speak on their behalf and answer your question.
Sir I am in total agreement with you, to expedite the matter you should direct your request specifically to Mia Motley, Gaston Brown, Ralph Gonzales and Roosevelt Skerrit, they are experienced in Deploying the RSS in hours. They did it in Dominica and Brutalized the people of Salisbury and Marigot, a Haitian School Boy got shot innocently so they are expert in Deployment. Contact them the RSS will be Deployed
I’m of the opinion that it’s time to talk and negotiate with the “armed” groups. We cannot always allow America to dictate what happens in the Caribbean or the world. Haiti has been wrong by the Western powers. It’s time for Caribbean people to solve their Caribbean problems without interference.
My long winding comments but I am saying this based on some research on Haiti’s history their background and looking at the country in General taking into account that they came down from France a monarchy at the time and their Presidency is reflecting this also they were once occupied by the USA and they still did not remedy the situation instead assassinations and coups and come up with a plan to aid in the Economic Development of Haiti as a paper for my Comparative Politics course. I also focused housing – climate resilient housing earthquake and hurricane.
It is different today in that they have diplomatic relations with so many nations and with CARICOM they can attain prosperity and peace within five to ten years with a plan we will see results.
Caricom looking at Haiti’s constitution should be looked at – there is a power struggle going on between the Presidency and Prime Minister. They need assistance in doing this. CARICOM should engage at this level – There is a template that should be looked at – countries like Dominica our System of Government the Presidency should resemble ours. In this region the way Haiti is structured politically – USA in the region and would not want them to have influence in the region.
Post World War II nations constitutions were rewritten and the power of the Presidency removed so this is one of the things that can be looked at to assist Haiti. Academically – it is being talked about and no one does anything. Financially -Haitian Gourde.
Organize and NOT three – a few nations headed by the Full Republics and take this to the Security Council at the United Nations or have them sit in on the summit or meetings. Go from there. The USA supported dictatorship in Haiti and made deals with…
I agree with this individual and I also would like this individual and express my concern one of which is the remaining in government until the situation is stable for elections. Haiti itself has the goal post for dictatorship and this should be watched carefully.
Caricom has done nothing as there is no way that as a member of CARICOM that we would allow for the international community to step in first without the member states doing something or coming up with a good plan.
We as fellow black and Caribbean folks so be able to come up with a plan to have a groups of concerned individuals who can hold a summit of sone sort with these individuals or leaders based on a neutral approach to the situation and dealing with them to find ways to solve the situation. Caricom has institutions in place – financial – Haiti’s money, education wise – the school leaving age – illiteracy, their constitution presidency powers to be in alignment with the rest of the region
Well written, your request may seem unpopular but rational. Mr Henry has clearly lost the confidence of his people, we as caricom have to blur out the background noise of popular media and listen to voices of the people who are being affected. The solution may be a long way off but there are certain practical decisions that can be made in the wake of this chaos.
Where are those like-to-fire-tear-gas soldiers/police of the Regional Security System (RSS) & Dominica Police Force? It seems like it is only in Dominica against peaceful unarmed civilians they like to show up to play tough.
Are those like-to-fire-tear-gas soldiers/police of the Regional Security System (RSS) & Dominica Police Force scared of those REAL BAD MEN in Haiti? It is in Haiti tear gas needs to be fired in order to try to help restore order.
Haiti didn’t get like that over night. for all those who see and hear what’s happening in Haiti, I have been to haiti. this is what happens when you put politics before nation, before simple human decency. the lust for power bares terrible fruit. this is a tragedy that could have been avoided.
this was the first Caribbean nation to go independent after which many others followed… get the point ?
CARICOM leaders are wilfully dodging the main reason for the explosive, over the top eruption of this intense violence especially in very recent times. The elephant in the room is Ariel Henry who was forced on the people as president of Haiti by the US.
The majority of Haitians are calling for this man to step down. His stubborn refusal to do this is only fueling the violence. The heads of CARICOM are avoiding making this call. Sending foreign troops to the already volatile situation is like igniting a match at a huge tank of gasoline.
Ariel Henry’s resignation, coupled with an interim group of responsible leaders from a cross section of society, will definitely help to defuse the tensions.
Ariel Henry steps down, a period of calm prevails, free and fair elections during that period. That’s my humble and honest take for a stable Haiti.