Following the presentation by Helen La Lime, head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), of the report on the situation in Haiti, she declared to the members of the Security Council by videoconference "[...] The polarization that has defined much of President Jovenel Moïse's tenure has become even more acute, because civic space shrinks and acute food insecurity grows.

Haiti has been in the throes of a new crisis since Parliament ceased to function in January 2020, leaving the President to postpone the elections and rule by decree [...]" stressing that "Only a renewal democratic process, resulting from the rapid holding of credible, transparent and participatory elections, can give Haiti the opportunity to overcome its protracted political crisis.

This would allow Haitian society and leaders to focus their attention on implementing the economic and governance reforms that are necessary to put the country back on the path to sustainable development [...]"

Participating in the meeting from Port-au-Prince, President Moïse defended his administration https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33083-haiti-flash-intervention-of-president-moise-before-the-un-security-council.html claiming that it was facing not only the Covid-19 pandemic, but also "corrupt oligarchs" and a "radical and violent opposition" who tried on several occasions a coup, adding however that "the legislative elections which should have taken place originally in October 2019 will take place in September 2021."

Moïse, said his presidential term ends in 2022, five years after taking office. But his opponents, citing the Constitution, say his tenure began in the 2016 election and the time has come for him to step down.

La Lime, said the opposition has failed to mobilize a large audience in its campaign to oust the President. But she noted that a series of presidential decrees prompted judges to go on strike and threatened civic space by an overly broad definition of terrorism at a time when approximately 4.4 million Haitians will need humanitarian aid this year.

In this volatile environment, preparations for this year’s elections and a constitutional referendum continue. But the UN envoy warned that much remains to be done and the vote could be delayed due to a lack of international funding "[...] Above all, minimal consensus among the political actors concerned would go a long way in creating an environment conducive to the holding of the constitutional referendum and subsequent elections" adding that the United Nations stood ready to assist.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33101-haiti-un-declaration-by-france-to-the-security-council-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33095-haiti-un-intervention-of-the-united-states-at-the-security-council-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33083-haiti-flash-intervention-of-president-moise-before-the-un-security-council.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33058-haiti-un-human-rights-violation-very-concerning-indicates-the-binuh-report-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33046-haiti-un-mounting-insecurity-indicates-binuh-report-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

HL/ HaitiLibre