OAS Secretary General Comments on First Round of Talks in Haiti
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, says the Inter-American community stands in solidarity with the Haitian people and remains committed to supporting them on this path.
OAs Secretary General Albert Ramdin is greeted by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. ahead of their talks. Also present is CARICCOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett (CMC Photo)Ramdin is heading a high-level Inter-American delegation to Haiti for talks with Haitian officials including Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. He discussed Monday’s deliberations as “fruitful” and that the “discussions focused primarily on the urgent need to accelerate preparations for the elections”.
He said that the restoration of elected institutions is essential to Haiti’s democratic future and to building the stability and confidence necessary for the country’s recovery with Ramdin adding that security and sustainable development are indispensable to this effort and must progress alongside the electoral process.
Last week, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced the publication of the final list of approved political groups. It has scheduled the first round of long-awaited presidential and legislative elections, alongside a constitutional referendum, for December 13, this year, marking the first time Haitians will be casting ballots since 2016 when President Jovenel Moise was elected. Moise was later assassinated on July 7,2021.
“We reaffirmed the OAS’s commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts toward credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections, in full respect of Haiti’s sovereignty and authority. In particular, we discussed the importance of accelerating the preparation of the voter registry and strengthening ci,” Ramdin said following the meeting with Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and his delegation that also included several Cabinet ministers and other national officials,
Ramdin said that the OAS is ready to provide technical cooperation throughout the electoral process and, when the time comes, to conduct an election observation mission.
“We commend the efforts being made to strengthen Haiti’s national institutions, including the Haitian National Police and other national security actors. These efforts include the P4000 programme, supported by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
“The OAS contributes through complementary initiatives, such as forward operating bases, capacity building for the Haitian National Police, and cooperation with the judicial police to enhance the ability to trace illicit financial flows. Sustained stability will require continued international support, strengthened Haitian capacity, and effective coordination.”
Ramdin said that the discussions also emphasised that Haiti’s democratic recovery must be a source of hope and offer prospects for its people.
He said that the participation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) the Latin America and Caribbean Development Bank (CAF), and the World Bank “allowed us to explore initiatives supporting Haiti’s long-term development. Education, health, job creation, and economic opportunities cannot wait.
“They are immediate priorities. We also discussed strengthening coordination among international partners, development banks, the private sector, and regional organizations to better align our collective support with Haiti’s priorities.”
Ramdin said that the objective uniting these efforts is clear and it is “to help create the security, institutional, and social conditions that will allow Haitians to choose their representatives through credible elections and move toward a more democratic, stable, and prosperous future.
“The Inter-American community stands in solidarity with the Haitian people and remains committed to supporting them on this path,” he added.