The Dominican Republic is counting on the United States pulling off sufficient support for a turnaround in Haiti. The good news is that cash-rich Guyana is now taking a lead role. Guyana holds a seat in the United Nations Security Council.
President Luis Abinader remarked in his 27 February accountability speech that his government’s diplomatic efforts were fundamental for the adoption of resolutions 2699 and 2700 of the UN Security Council that provide for the deployment of a multinational mission to support security in Haiti.
When referring to the achievements in foreign policy in his 27 February rendition of accounts speech, Abinader also referred to the role that the country has played in the extension of the sanctions regime that includes an arms embargo, travel ban and freezing of assets of people and entities responsible for the climate of violence in Haiti.
Just this week, the Dominican Republic participated as an observer in the meeting held by the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, with other countries about the peace mission that will be sent to Haiti. This meeting was organized by Blinken together with Brazil on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers of the G20 countries.
“Foreign policy is a fundamental aspect for any country, especially for a nation like ours, which needs to establish relations with other countries to achieve its development and prosperity,” Abinader highlighted.
Speaking in the rendering of accounts on 27 February, President Luis Abinader said that the United States is the main strategic partner for the Dominican Republic.
A related editorial in Diario Libre observes:
“Last week the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took advantage of the meeting of G20 foreign ministers to tighten a few screws and pass a bill to all the partners who intend to leave the package to the United States without assuming a share of the responsibility for intervention in Haiti.
It is evident that Blinken demanded action and the issue has come up again, hopefully this time in a definitive way. After the meeting, we see how Caricom has put the solution to the Haitian crisis as a fundamental issue in the meeting held in Guyana.
“The current president of Caricom and president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, expressed that ‘difficult decisions’ will have to be made about Haiti and hopes that a clear roadmap will emerge from this meeting on what will happen in the neighboring country in the immediate future. The president called on the parties in conflict on Haitian soil to be flexible and collaborate in the process of social pacification.”
It is now known that cash-rich Guyana commits to provide financial support to the multinational force to be deployed in Haiti.
As reported in the Guyana Chronicle, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has said Haiti would not be left in despair amidst the spiraling violence and humanitarian crisis plaguing their nation. Thomas-Greenfield said: “Haitians should not be left hopeless by the situation” and she laid out the extensive international efforts to restore peace, security, and democracy in Haiti, during a press conference at the US Embassy, on Monday.
US Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield lead the US delegation to the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, where support for Haiti was discussed. Haiti is a member of Caricom.
So far, Kenya has committed to send 1,000 men; Benin in West Africa offers another 2,000 police officers.
Guyana has also said it would deploy troops to help in the crisis management force in Haiti.
Read more:
Diario Libre
Hoy
Diario Libre
El Dia
Guyana Chronicle
Demerara Waves
AP
El Dia
28 February 2024