Haitian Prime Minister Calls for Urgent Deployment of Multinational Force to Quash Gang Violence
“Democracy is at peril. Our country needs a return to normalcy,” Prime Minister Ariel Henry
Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, made a compelling appeal for immediate action against escalating gang violence during his address to the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2023.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, also holding the position of Minister of Culture and Communication for the Republic of Haiti, expressed gratitude to the Secretary General for his recent visit and unwavering support in the Security Council. He commended the chosen theme of promoting trust and global solidarity to drive progress towards the 2030 agenda and sustainable development goals.
He emphasized the critical link between peace, security, and sustainable development, asserting that development cannot occur without peace and security. He stressed the need for solidarity and determination to tackle global challenges, citing the alarming statistics from the 2023 global report on food crisis, which highlighted the acute food insecurity affecting millions.
Prime Minister Henry underscored the economic stagnation caused by the COVID-19 crisis and its inflationary impact on several economies, particularly Haiti. He connected the economic crisis to the country’s deteriorating security situation and climate challenges, highlighting the vulnerability of small island nations like Haiti to frequent hurricanes.
Regarding Haiti’s multi-dimensional crisis, he emphasized the urgent need for tangible solutions. Gang violence, characterized by violent attacks, kidnappings, and the displacement of citizens, has created a humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting schools and internally displaced persons.
“As the head of the government of Haiti this is an opportunity to find lasting tangible solutions to this structural, multi-dimensional crisis which has impacted institutions and is hindering economic development and social progress. It has now reached a critical point. With the deterioration of the security situation every day people are facing violent attacks by armed gangs, which control various areas in the capital and some provincial towns. They assassinate, they set fires, they pillage, steal and abuse with particular cruelty,” Prime Minister Henry.
Prime Minister Henry decried the numerous crimes perpetrated by armed gangs, including massacres, human trafficking, and child soldier recruitment, and their detrimental impact on the country’s economy and humanitarian situation.
He highlighted the dire food insecurity situation, with nearly half of the population living below the poverty line and called upon friendly nations to help Haiti overcome these challenges and restore security and stability.
“They drive citizens from their homes. They block roads and they force schools and hospitals as well as businesses to close their doors. The deterioration of the security situation in recent weeks has led to a new humanitarian crisis with displaced persons, spontaneously occupying various sites to escape gang violence. More than 25 schools in the capital are used by internally displaced persons to an estimated 16,500. They face serious difficulties, and they are experiencing subhuman conditions,” Prime Minister Henry.
Reflecting on Haiti’s recent history of shocks, including earthquakes and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, he acknowledged the need for immediate help to ensure Haitians can stay in their homes and rebuild their homeland.
“The health threat is also present with cases of cholera being detected in certain areas. This increases the risk of transmission, and it’s a real public health issue for the population. Abuses, systematic human rights violations, caused by gang violence compromises peace, stability and the security of the country and the region as a whole,” Prime Minister Henry.
Prime Minister Henry expressed the readiness of Haiti to embrace change and return to normalcy through democratic elections. He stressed the importance of addressing security concerns, including the circulation of arms, massacres, and kidnappings.
“Kidnappings, pillaging, fires, the recent massacres, sexual and sexist violence, organ trafficking, human trafficking, homicides, extra-judicial executions, the recruitment of child soldiers, the blocking of main roads, this is but a non-exhaustive list of crimes perpetuated by the armed gangs,” Prime Minister Henry.
To combat the crisis, he called for the urgent deployment of a multinational support mission, combining police and military personnel, to assist Haiti’s national police force in combating gangs and restoring order. While acknowledging the necessity of force initially, he stressed the importance of addressing social and economic development to combat extreme poverty, which he identified as the root cause of many issues in Haiti.
“As a result, there are serious consequences. Such as poor economic performance, we have seen 5 years of contraction with a negative growth rate and increased inflation of over 50%. Moreover, the humanitarian crisis is exacerbated.
According to estimates, 4.9 million people in my country face food insecurity. This is about half the population living below the poverty line on less than two American dollars a day,” Prime Minister Henry.
The Prime Minister also discussed social inequalities and wealth distribution disparities, which contribute to unemployment and gang recruitment, and called upon all Haitians and political actors to work together to combat gangs and seek power through democratic means.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding elections and engaging with political actors and civil society to reach a consensus for a way out of the crisis. Prime Minister Henry emphasized the need for women and young people to play vital roles in Haiti’s recovery.
“The daily lives of the people of Haiti is very difficult that is why the Security Council which has the power and the necessary authority under Chapter 7 of the Charter must take urgent action by authorizing the deployment of a multinational support mission to underpin security in Haiti consistent of both police and military personnel to support Haiti’s national police force to combat the gangs and restore peace and order.
The use of force as an initial step remains essential to create an environment in which the state can function properly again. It is a necessary initial stage, but it is not enough in it of itself. Social and economic development must also be addressed to find a sustainable solution to extreme poverty which is the origin of all the ills facing my country,” Prime Minister Henry.
He emphasized that only a legitimate government elected through transparent and democratic elections could effectively address Haiti’s challenges.
“I send out a call to all good Haitians of good faith those living in the diaspora and those living within our borders. To all actors in political life, whatever their persuasion to work hand in hand with the government to combat the gangs, restore security and as true democrats, to seek power via the ballot box.
My interim government is determined to hold elections as soon as practically possible. In the days to come, despite the situation in the country, I will finalize an agreement with the high authority for the transition, setting down the steps necessary for an electoral consensus with the support of the international community,” Prime Minister Henry.
He also urged peaceful dialogue and cooperation with the Dominican Republic, emphasizing the importance of equitable resource sharing from shared rivers.
“I wish to bring to the attention of the international community a situation which has been emerging in recent weeks. On the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, causing unnecessary problems between the two republics who share the island. I wish to state that the republic of Haiti is not at war with anyone.
Haitians are a generous people who have always shown solidarity and who believe in dialogue and the ability to fairly share, shared resources, in full mutual respect. I came here today to let you know that we have no intention in any form to prejudge the neighbors with whom we share the island, with whom we must coexist and advance.
History teaches us day in and day out that violence with a brotherly country can only lead to regrets and leave behind bitterness and remorse from generation to generation.
I have come here today to pass on the message from the entire Haitian people the river known as the Massacre River, a background of friction between Haiti and the Dominican Republic means that we must do our very best to ensure that old demons do not break free again. That we don’t open old wounds or cause new ones.
Haiti reaffirms the sovereign right of the Haitian people to use binational water resources just like the DR does and we call for an equitable sharing of the rivers’ resources. The Haitian people choose the path of dialogue and negotiation to peacefully resolve any differences any conflicts under the auspices of international agreements signed in good faith between the two states in 1929 and again in 2021,” Prime Minister Henry.
Prime Minister Henry expressed gratitude to Kenya, CARICOM, and other individuals who have supported Haiti and emphasized Haiti’s historical role as a symbol of freedom and solidarity. He concluded with a call for international support and solidarity to help Haiti turn the page on this dark chapter in its history.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s address urged the international community to act swiftly and offered a message of hope for Haiti’s future, emphasizing the country’s determination to rewrite its destiny and calling for fraternal solidarity.
“On this dark time in our history. I call on the international community to take action, quickly. We hope for long lived relations with our brotherly people in Africa, with our international partners. Long Live Haiti!” Prime Minister Henry.
Watch the Prime Minister’s Speech
Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic
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