Time for CARICOM to act decisively in assisting Haiti

“Haiti I’m sorry” is a poignant song by David Rudder that speaks of the pain and suffering endured by the people of Haiti. The country has a long history of political instability, corruption, economic inequality, and criminality which have contributed to its current status. Despite being the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, Haiti has struggled to establish a stable government and infrastructure, leading to widespread poverty, lack of access to basic services, and frequent natural disasters. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of remorse and empathy for the people of Haiti who have been failed by their leaders and the international community, highlighting the urgent need for support and solidarity.

The leaders of fifteen Caribbean nations meet from February 15 to 17 at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Conference in The Bahamas. It is a heartening sign that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is attending the meeting.

The conference comes at a very crucial time, as Haiti, a member of CARICOM since 2002, hovers on the brink of becoming a failed state with news of marauding gangs, warring, and crime getting worse daily.

It’s ironic that Trudeau, who in collaboration with the United States recently announced Canada would not send military forces to intervene in the worsening Haitian situation, cited “support for the Haitian people” as among his priorities for discussions at the meeting.

Noticeably, and interestingly, amidst a flurry of statements from CARICOM condemning last year’s assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, and the declining political, social, economic, health, and security systems in Haiti since, there has been no evidence of the regional group releasing plans to help its troubled Caribbean neighbor.

There’s an opinion among the Caribbean region that CARICOM is waiting to see how the US, Canada, and other members of the international community respond to calls for intervening to secure order in Haiti, before acting. There is another, more negative, opinion that CARICOM lacks the required resources, military and nonmilitary, to make any meaningful intervention into Haiti. Neither of these opinions are valid reasons for CARICOM not being more assertive and aggressive in making and implementing a definitive plan to offer support to the Haitian people in reversing the existing chaos and return the country to effective governance and stability.

Last year, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, was criticized for splitting with some of his CARICOM partners in seeking the election of Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith to replace Patricia  Scotland as  the Commonwealth Secretary General.  But recently, Holness made the bold move in announcing his willingness to send Jamaican police and soldiers as part of a multinational force to help return public order and security to Haiti. But what about the other CARICOM members? What is their position?

CARICOM, which commemorates its 50^th anniversary this year, is a respected international community. Over the years it has grown in influence, despite some obvious shortcomings. The time is now for the organization to take a leadership role in mobilizing international support for Haiti. This is an opportunity for Jamaica’s Holness to redeem himself from last year’s controversy over the British Commonwealth secretary general election dilemma, and work with other CARICOM leaders, the Canadian prime minister, and others, in planning a pragmatic strategy to help Haiti.

Unfortunately, to date CARICOM has faltered in relating to the Haitian crisis. This crisis existed long before the assassination of Moïse. There were increasing signs of political, national security, and socio-economic disability, as Moïse refused to step down or call a general election considered overdue. Before and since Moïse’s assassination, and the worsening national crisis, CARICOM has dithered with its response.

Current Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry made an appeal to CARICOM in October 2022 for help in alleviating the deepening crisis in his country. But rather than CARICOM leaders seizing the initiative to come up with a consensual plan to assist another member of the group, they replied in a letter to Henry. According to the CARICOM secretariat the letter stated that while Caribbean leaders were sympathetic with the Haitian situation, no initiatives could be taken until the security situation is addressed.  Since then, the security situation, along with the political and socio-economic situation in Haiti has worsened.

In fact, there has been a loud sound of silence from CARICOM regarding Haiti. CARICOM was expected to react when the UN called on the international community to intervene militarily in Haiti, but there’s no evidence of a reaction. Holness’ willingness to have Jamaica participate in an international coalition is, so far, the first signal of a CARICOM leader’s willingness to act decisively.

The crisis in Haiti is currently unique to that country. But a similar crisis could develop in another Caribbean nation anytime. Several Caribbean countries are experiencing crime and security problems brought about by roving criminal gangs, and are also experiencing serious economic problems. CARICOM showing ineffectiveness in taking decisive, realistic action to assist a member in crisis could damage the future role of the organization.

Serious collaboration is needed over the next few days among CARICOM leaders to either take direct action among these leaders to assist Haiti; or to influence Canada’s Trudeau, and others in the international community to join CARICOM in taking pragmatic action.

The stage has been set for CARICOM to take a definitive leadership role in the grave crisis threatening the people of Haiti.