Antigua and Barbuda has pledged to send military personnel to Haiti as part of efforts to restore law and order in the strife-torn Caribbean country. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said no decision has yet been made on how many members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) will be dispatched to Haiti – or when they will depart.
Last Friday, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Browne joined his CARICOM colleagues in participating in discussions held by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. The meeting provided a platform for high-level discussions on strategies to support Haiti in its path toward stability, prosperity, and effective governance. Caribbean leaders came together to exchange ideas, share insights, and reaffirm their collective dedication to fostering positive change in Haiti.
Discussions were also held on a proposal for a Kenyan-led multinational force to restore security to Haiti with contributions from interested parties, to include the United States, Canada and others. Other than Kenya, which would head the operation, Jamaica and the Bahamas have also pledged to deploy personnel.
Last Friday, when he addressed the UN General Assembly, Browne noted that the recent mission by the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, seeking a resolution to Haiti’s political deadlock, had voiced deep concern over the rising dominance of gangs and the ensuing human rights crisis. “The immediate imperatives are clear: An urgent, comprehensive, coordinated intervention is required that will concurrently restore governance, security, and the rule of law while resolving the humanitarian needs.
“The CARICOM eminent persons strongly recommended that a broad-based transitional government is the linchpin for effective governance. It is our aspiration that this proposed representative transitional government materializes, to provide the necessary leadership that is required, with external assistance to restore order and bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Haitian people,” he stated.
Antigua and Barbuda, Browne emphasized, stands resolutely in solidarity with the Haitian people who deserve nothing less. “In this regard, I reaffirm my government’s pledge to collaborate with all Haitian stakeholders, and with the international community, in the efforts to reinstate the rule of law, restoring democracy, and assisting with security and humanitarian relief,” he added.