Antigua and Barbuda commits to sending ABDF personnel to Haiti
(St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Office of the Prime Minister, 26th September 2023) Antigua and Barbuda is among three Caribbean states that have pledged to send military personnel to Haiti as part of efforts to restore law and order in that strife-torn Caribbean country.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne who spoke about the matter on Monday, however, stated that there was no determination at this point on how many members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) will be dispatched to Haiti. There is no set date for the soldiers’ departure.
Last Friday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister 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. Leaders from the Caribbean region 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 other members of the United Nations family.
Other than Kenya, which would head the operation, Jamaica, and The Bahamas, have pledged to deploy personnel.
As recent as last Friday when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, PM Browne noted that the recent mission by the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, seeking a resolution to Haiti’s political deadlock, voiced deep concerns 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 materialises, 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, the prime minister emphasized, stands resolutely in solidarity with the Haitian people.
“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 reiterated.
The people of Haiti deserve no less, according to the prime minister in his United Nations General Assembly address.
Source: CARICOM TODAY