Political impasse in Haiti: CARICOM's Group of Eminent Persons (GPE) struggles to resolve the crisis

The CARICOM Group of Eminent Persons (GEP) began discussions this Friday, October 8 at the Montana Hotel, bringing together Haitian political stakeholders with the aim of reaching a political agreement and consensus. Unfortunately, this first day of plenary sessions proved fruitless, with the lines of debate remaining frozen and unchanged.

Among the personalities present were representatives of the Agreement of December 21, 2022, such as André MICHEL, Marjory MICHEL, Sorel JACINTHE, Daniel SUPPLICE, Rony ALEXANDRE and Abel DESCOLINES. On the side of the signatories of the Kingston declaration, were present Professor Feland JEAN, Claude JOSEPH of the political party Engagés pour le Développement (EDE), Edgard LEBLANC Fils of the Organization of the People in Struggle (OPL), Himmler REBU of GREEH, Emmanuel Ménard of Force Louverturienne, and other representatives. Also noteworthy was the presence of the human rights defender of CARDH, Gédéon JEAN, Pastor Jean Julio VOLCY and two other figures from civil society.

However, the day was marked by the prolonged absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry from the discussions, highlighting according to some participants his lack of commitment to resolving the country's socio-political crisis.

The CARICOM delegation seems powerless to encourage political actors to work for the country's best interests. Some politicians, excluded from the discussions, call this initiative a political farce and see it as a waste of time. This feeling is shared by a Haitian population tired of suffering the consequences of these political maneuvers that do not seem to be leading to concrete solutions.

The discussions focused on key points such as the expansion of the Transitional Council for a better balance of executive power, the composition of the Provisional Electoral Council, the establishment of an inclusive government of national unity, and many others. However, divergences persist, particularly around the demand for the resignation of Ariel Henry formulated by the opposition group as a precondition for the signing of a political agreement.

While these discussions continue in a luxurious setting at the Montana Hotel, the Haitian population continues to suffer from misery and poverty, becoming easy prey for armed bandits. The significant expenses of this meeting contrast cruelly with the reality of the citizens' daily lives.

This political impasse raises questions about the real will of political actors to find a solution to the crisis. The population, tired of this situation, expects concrete actions that will bring real changes to the socio-economic reality of the country.