Dominican Republic Border Closure
The Dominican Republic’s National Security Council announces new measures to strengthen the border closure and establish Provisional Trade Corridors.
Santo Domingo.- The director of Strategy and Government Communication and Spokesman of the Presidency, Homero Figueroa, reported this Monday that the National Security Council announced new measures to strengthen the border closure and establish Provisional Commercial Corridors.
To enhance the border closure with Haiti, commencing on October 11 at 8:00 AM, various actions have been initiated, including the implementation of a biometric registry at the border and the creation of a fund for the mechanization of agricultural work.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the measures adopted by the Dominican Republic’s National Security Council on October 9:
The Dominican Republic will activate a fund through the Development and Export Bank (Bandex) to support an extensive agricultural mechanization program, reducing the need for hiring undocumented immigrant workers.
The militarization of the border will be reinforced to make access to Dominican territory even more challenging for gang members fleeing the multinational force.
The immigration closure of the border will be maintained indefinitely to prevent the transit of individuals from Haitian territory.
The suspension of visa issuance to Haitian citizens will be extended indefinitely.
The export of electronic products, cement, rebar, and other construction materials will be prohibited to prevent the construction of structures that could endanger the environmental assets of the Dominican Republic.
Provisional Commercial Corridors (CCP) will be established in the provinces of Dajabón, Elías Piña, Independencia, and Pedernales. These corridors will have strict military control measures and mandatory biometric registration to facilitate the trade of essential Dominican products such as food and medicine, particularly for infants.
The Legal Consultancy will be tasked with urgently drafting the operating regulations of Law 216-11 concerning border markets to ensure high levels of security.
The Presidential spokesperson explained that the border closure serves multiple purposes, such as keeping Haitian gangs out of Dominican territory, encouraging the voluntary return of numerous immigrants, reducing the entry of undocumented immigrants, and controlling the smuggling of weapons and prohibited substances.
He also emphasized that these measures underscore the country’s unwavering opposition to any unilateral Dominican solution to the Haitian issue.
The spokesperson further highlighted the ecological benefits of reactivating the La Vigía canal, including preserving the Dajabón River’s flow, ensuring water for agricultural producers, and safeguarding the biodiversity of the Saladillo lagoon wetlands.
The closure of the border, visa suspension, and La Vigía canal reactivation were among the decisions made during a National Security Council meeting on September 11, 2023, in response to political and social instability caused by gangs in Haiti and environmental concerns related to the canal’s construction in the Dajabón River.
Last week, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the deployment of a multinational security support mission in Haiti after three years of persistent diplomacy by President Luis Abinader.
These new measures are designed to address challenges and opportunities arising from this development and prioritize national security interests.
Homero Figueroa reiterated President Abinader’s commitment to changing the border’s status quo, emphasizing that these measures will continue to be the new normal until a return to governance in Haiti is achieved. The primary objective remains the defense of national interests and the security of Dominican citizens.
These measures will be implemented starting on Friday, October 13 at 6:00 AM.
Haitian Statement
In a press release by the Government of the Republic of Haiti, the Ministry of Culture and Communications acknowledged the population for their “calm, serenity and patriotism in the face of the disproportionate measures taken by the Dominican authorities.” The Ministry stated that they will continue to conduct consultations and make appropriate arrangements in the interest of Haitians.
“The government reaffirms the inalienable right of Haitians to equitably use binational water resources,” stated the government of Haiti.
Haiti declared it remains committed to pursuing diplomatic solutions to resolve the ongoing dispute concerning the Massacre River with the Dominican Republic. The Haitian government firmly asserts that any attempts to divert the river’s waters to the detriment of Haitians, in violation of the 1929 agreement, are deemed unacceptable and hostile.
The Government of Haiti firmly believes that a satisfactory resolution can only be achieved through the equitable sharing of water resources, the normalization of relations between both nations, and the restoration of cross-border movement of people and goods, as existed prior to the unilateral closure on September 15.
Kenyan Court Temporarily Halts UN-Backed Plan for Haiti Police Deployment
In response to the Security Council’s October 2 approval of a plan to dispatch around 1,000 Kenyan security officers to combat gang members who have seized control of over 80% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding areas over the past year, a Kenyan court has temporarily blocked the deployment. The mission’s composition may also involve security forces from Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda.
“This mission, distinct from a UN peacekeeping operation, emerged as a Kenyan initiative to assist in addressing gang violence in Haiti. Initially, Kenya had hoped for a larger country like the United States or Canada to lead the effort, but that proposal never came to fruition,” reports Damilola Banjo for Pass Blue.
While the Dominican Republic strengthens its border security and Haiti looks to the international community for help in restoring peace, it appears that the multilateral initiative might face delays. This pause is due to a recent decision by a Kenyan court to temporarily halt the deployment of its police forces to Haiti. This decision is rooted in concerns regarding past failed international missions in Haiti, where reports of violations against women and children emerged.
There is a significant level of uncertainty about whether the Kenyan police can effectively protect the rights of Haitian citizens. Local Kenyan reports have highlighted instances of police brutality, prompting hesitancy in replicating such behavior in Haiti or elsewhere.
To learn more visit:
Haitian Prime Minister Calls for Urgent Deployment
Reevaluating Post-Quake Foreign Engagement in Haiti
Haiti’s Commitment to Dialogue
Message from Luis Abinader on the Closure of the Dajabon-Haiti Border
