Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Friday confirmed that regional leaders will meet in Jamaica on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation in the French-speaking member state of Haiti.
In a brief video statement, Ali, who is also Guyana’s President, confirmed a Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) story that the meeting would also be attended by representatives of governments “whom Haiti has engaged as partners”.
In his statement, Ali said that regional leaders remain engaged in “deep discussions with the various stakeholders in Haiti and with Prime Minister Henry.
“Whilst we are making considerable progress the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be. We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached. We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us” Ali said.
He said that the meeting on Monday is being called to “urgently address this current state of affairs and all other matters critical to the stabilisation of security and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti.
“It is vital that this engagement be at as high a level as possible to send a clear message of unity between CARICOM and the international community as we work together to provide the critical support to the Haitian people at this time of crisis for them”.
