Dominican Republic safety forces stand guard on a border bridge between Dajabón, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The president of the Dominican Republic introduced Thursday that he would shut all borders with neighboring Haiti beginning Friday in response to the development of a supposed canal on Haitian soil that targets waters from the Bloodbath River, which runs alongside the border shared by each international locations. (AP Photograph/Ricardo Hernández)
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The president of the Dominican Republic on Sunday defended his determination to close air, sea and land traffic with neighboring Haiti of their dispute over building of a canal focusing on a river that runs by means of each international locations.
President Luis Abinader mentioned in a televised speech that the border closures begun Friday will stay in place till building is halted on the canal, which seeks to make use of water from the Bloodbath River to alleviate a drought in Haiti’s Maribaroux plain.
“We don’t want or search confrontation, however we’re confronting the uncontrollable individuals who hold Haiti insecure, and who, on account of their non-public pursuits, now additionally conspire towards the steadiness of their authorities and the safety of our water sources,” Abinader mentioned throughout his transient speech, referring to gang violence that has engulfed Haiti.
Accusing Haiti of violating a 1929 treaty between each international locations, he mentioned that the Bloodbath River is a key useful resource for Dominican farmers and that building might injury the surroundings, together with a wetland.
“The precedent of an irrigation mission constructed unilaterally can result in an escalation of constructions that will destroy the river,” Abinader mentioned.
The river is called after a bloody battle between French and Spanish colonizers, and it was the positioning of a mass killing of Haitians by the Dominican military in 1937.
The total border shutdowns got here 4 days after Abinader announced that his administration had stopped issuing visas to Haitians and had closed the border close to the northern city of Dajabon.
He mentioned it was vital to lift consciousness within the worldwide neighborhood so it involves Haiti’s help.
“There isn’t a Dominican answer to Haiti’s drawback,” Arbinader mentioned. “We can’t be requested for greater than what we already do.”
A spokesperson for the workplace of Haiti’s prime minister declined remark Sunday and referred to a Friday assertion condemning Abinader’s determination to shutter all borders while both sides were meeting to find a solution. Haiti’s authorities has mentioned it helps the canal mission.
Haiti additionally has requested assist to assist quell a surge in gang violence, with the U.S. saying it would submit a U.N. Security Council resolution that will authorize Kenya’s provide to steer a multinational police drive.
A decision has but to be submitted, and no timetable has been supplied.
