The Dominican government has firmly requested the Haitian authorities take actions to immediately halt the resumption of the construction of a privately-built canal whose purpose is to divert the waters of the Masacre River.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations says the request is based on the legitimate concern about the negative effects that the canal could cause to the agricultural producers of both countries.
According to a press release from the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, has expressed his concern about the construction. Henry would have been relying on the Ministry of the Interior to find a definite solution to the situation. Henry has been emphatic this is a private project. “We value this gesture of cooperation and trust that the ongoing talks will allow us to resolve this conflict peacefully and respecting the interests of both nations,” Henry would have said, the Dominican Presidency reports.
Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez says the irrigation canal construction violates the 1929 Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship and Arbitration, the 1935 Border Agreement and the 1936 Border Revision Protocol. He also stated that the limits between the two countries are definitive, immovable and non-negotiable.
The construction has the apparent intention of channeling water for the purpose of selling these privately to Haitian farmers, without official authorization from the Haitian government.
This private initiative is being carried out between pyramids number 13 and 14, located between Fuerte Libertad and Juana Méndez, and according to available reports, the work is being done manually, indicating an improvised nature in the construction.
“It should be recalled that this is not the first time that Dominican authorities have expressed their concern in this regard. Since July 2021, work had already been stopped and all equipment related to this construction had been removed,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez says the Dominican government will remain vigilant and committed to achieving the definitive stoppage of this work, due to the negative impact it could have on our agricultural producers and on the region’s environment.
“We are open to talks and to find a solution that respects the interests of both nations. We trust that the Haitian authorities will act responsibly and for the benefit of friendship and collaboration between our countries,” he said.
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Presidency
4 September 2023