Sandra Honore, of Trinidad & Tobago, who leads the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah) forces in Haiti says that political crisis, more than extreme poverty and the effects of the 2010 earthquake, is what is keeping back Haiti, as reported in El Dia.
On 16 November 2013, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti voiced its concern at recent incidents of violence in several cities and urged everyone in the country to work towards ensuring a peaceful society. Honore has noted the resurgence of violence and killings in Cite Soleil, as well as violent incidents around schools in Cap-Haitien. “Such crimes are particularly disturbing as they endanger the safety of all, and the social peace that Haiti needs to move forward on the path of strengthening rule of law and socio-economic development,” she stated in a news release.
The UN Mission is urging all Haitians, civil society and other actors, including political, religious and community leaders, to continue working for peace.
Commenting on the release, El Dia editorial says the DR needs to keep close tabs on the lack of political stability in Haiti. Business deals that could be part of the solution are not happening because of the collapse of many of the institutions. Congressional elections are overdue, and there is opposition to the work of Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.
On 15 October, President Jose Mujica of Uruguay announced the contingent of 400 Uruguayan soldiers would be removed. He said that he would not keep his country’s troops in a force of a regime that is not moving ahead. “If in 10 years we have not been able to solve these matters, then there must be another path,” said Mujica.
Last week, after a two-month delay, the Haitian National Palace announced that members of the Chamber of Deputies would be convened for an extraordinary session on Friday, 22 November to work on the electoral bill for the establishment of senatorial and local elections, overdue in Haiti since November 2011.
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