KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) Secretary Normal Dr. Carla Barnett stated Friday that the 15-member regional integration grouping stays gravely involved about “the dire scenario” in Haiti.
Addressing a one-day assembly of overseas affairs ministers from CARICOM and the Republic of South Africa, Barnett stated that efforts are in progress to facilitate a transition to peace, stability, and democratic governance within the French-speaking nation, the place legal gangs are looking for to overthrow Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry’s authorities.
“CARICOM seems ahead to continued collaboration with and help from the worldwide group for the Multinational Safety Assist (MSS) Mission approved by the UN Safety Council and for vital humanitarian help and dedication to supporting Haiti because it seeks long-term social and financial growth.
She added, “CARICOM will proceed to press for the worldwide group to meaningfully help Haiti’s long-term growth wants past present efforts, which deal with safety and political stability.”
The United Nations Safety Council has acknowledged CARICOM’s “key function” in facilitating Haiti’s efforts to beat the continuing political stalemate and safety scenario.
In a press release, the Safety Council stated it “took be aware” of the end result declaration issued on 11 March 2024 following a high-level assembly on Haiti convened by the leaders of CARICOM in Kingston, Jamaica, on the dedication reached with Haitian stakeholders for a transitional governance association in Haiti, together with the proposed creation of a Transitional Presidential Council and the naming of an Interim Prime Minister.
Guyana’s President and CARICOM chairman, Dr. Irfaan Ali, instructed reporters in Jamaica that an settlement had been reached that will enable Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down and for a transitional governance association “which paves the way in which for a peaceable transition of energy, continuity of governance and motion plan for near-term safety and the street to free and truthful elections.”
Ali stated that it was additionally agreed {that a} transitional presidential council can be created comprised of seven voting members and two voting observers.
In her tackle to the assembly, Barnett stated the deliberation “marks one other optimistic step in the direction of persevering with dialogue typically with Africa” and that it additionally marks a renewal of high-level interplay between CARICOM and the Republic of South Africa.
She stated previous engagements between CARICOM and South Africa have occurred on the highest political stage. Newer engagements, akin to conferences with Commonwealth heads of presidency, have occurred within the margins of worldwide fora.
Throughout its stint as chairman of the African Union (AU), Barnett stated that South Africa facilitated CARICOM international locations’ entry to the Africa Medical Provide Platform for vaccines through the COVID-19 pandemic.
She stated this was adopted by reciprocal visits between African and Caribbean leaders, which led to the First CARICOM-Africa Summit, held in September 2021.
” Earlier final week, we have been happy to take part in a Symposium hosted by the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy on Strengthening Cooperation between Africa and Caribbean States.
” This assembly of International Ministers, due to this fact, marks one other optimistic step in the direction of persevering with dialogue typically with Africa, however particularly with the Republic of South Africa as we search to deepen collaboration and suggest options for the worldwide challenges we face.”
Barnett stated CARICOM had loved stable political ties with South Africa and that the 15-member grouping had been “public and unrelenting in its opposition to apartheid.
“At present, our advocacy focuses on present challenges, such because the accelerating adverse influence of local weather change, the pressing must reform the worldwide monetary structure to attain higher equality and relevance, constructing meals and vitamin safety, and threats to regional safety.”
She stated local weather change challenges the sustainable growth of the area.
“CARICOM international locations and different Small Island Growing States (SIDS) don’t contribute considerably to local weather change, however the influence of local weather change causes losses yearly,” she stated, noting that when hurricanes happen, CARICOM international locations can and have skilled multiples of gross home product (GDP) in losses in a number of hours, as was the case of Dominica when Hurricane Maria hit in 2017.
“We rely on companions akin to South Africa, a rustic with wealthy and various ecosystems and the place the influence of local weather change can also be accelerating, to help advocacy on this matter in multilateral fora.”
She stated whereas a “brief however substantive agenda” is earlier than the assembly, the problems for dialogue “clearly mirror the nice significance that each CARICOM and South Africa connect to this vital relationship and the worth of working collaboratively to enhance the well-being of all our peoples.”
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