Haiti: the government maintains its referendum despite international criticism

2021-05-05T07:46:44.603Z

The Haitian government confirmed on Tuesday its willingness to organize a constitutional referendum at the end of June, despite criticism from the community ...

The Haitian government on Tuesday confirmed its willingness to organize a constitutional referendum at the end of June, despite criticism from the international community which is worried about a process that is not sufficiently

"inclusive, participatory or transparent"

, in a country undermined by insecurity gangs.

“A referendum is an act of sovereignty.
It mainly concerns Haitians: they are the ones who decide whether or not they want a referendum to change the Constitution, ”

reacted Haitian Prime Minister Claude Joseph.

Read also: Resignation of the government in Haiti, new Prime Minister appointed

In the absence of elections organized in recent years, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse today finds himself governing by decree, without checks and balances.

The power in place has drawn up a busy electoral calendar for the year 2021 in order to allow the democratic renewal of all political personnel.

But in addition to the presidential, legislative and local elections in the fall, Jovenel Moïse wants to submit to a popular vote, on June 27, a project for a new Constitution.

Last Monday, the Core Group (made up of representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization of American States as well as the embassies of Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, the United States and of Spain) expressed concern that

“this process is not at this stage sufficiently inclusive, participatory or transparent”

. On Thursday, the United States renewed its call for the organization of elections in Haiti while affirming its opposition to a change of constitution.

"We stressed to the Haitian government that the US government would not finance the holding of a constitutional referendum

said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Faced with these criticisms, the Haitian government does not intend to abandon its project while saying it is open to dialogue.

"Some of the concerns expressed on the part of our international friends are well-founded and legitimate,"

admitted Prime Minister Claude Joseph

.
"A referendum must indeed be an inclusive process, which is why the president initiated the process of dialogue"

, he assured Tuesday, during his first press conference since his appointment as head of government on April 14. .

Read also: Haiti: announcement of a new government

Jovenel Moïse, the object of a strong wave of protest from the political opposition and a certain part of the Haitian population, who demand his departure, is in his sixth prime minister appointed in four years of governance. In this difficult political context, the grip of gangs on the territory has worsened in recent months, allowing an upsurge in kidnappings for ransom in Port-au-Prince and in the provinces.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-05-05