December 23, 2024
On September 18, 2024, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session, a crucial meeting was co-chaired by Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This event, organized under the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), brought together global leaders to address the dire situation in Haiti, which is on the brink due to escalating gang violence and political upheaval.
During the meeting, interim Prime Minister Garry Conille delivered a solemn speech detailing the critical situation in the country and the efforts being made to address it. He began by recalling Haiti’s historic significance as the first black republic to achieve independence, emphasizing that, despite the severe threats it faces today, Haiti “stands strong.”
Conille then provided an overview of the first hundred days of his government, highlighting concrete actions taken to restore security and stability. He mentioned targeted operations carried out by Haitian police forces, supported by the Multinational Security Mission (MSS), to regain control of areas plagued by armed groups. These gangs, he explained, are not just disorganized criminals; they are well-equipped armed groups with transnational connections, turning the situation into a veritable urban war.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the Haitian crisis has been largely underestimated, affecting not only security but also humanitarian, social, and economic sectors. He pointed to the disastrous state of healthcare infrastructure, where over 70% of facilities in Port-au-Prince are non-functional, as well as the collapse of the educational system and the lack of access to clean water and food for a large part of the population.
Dr. Conille made an urgent appeal to the international community for increased aid, stating that the crisis cannot be overcome without significant support in terms of financial resources and logistics. He also emphasized the importance of combating corruption, a scourge that undermines Haitian institutions. His government has already taken firm measures, with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) filing several cases in court.
Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to rebuilding a stronger state and preparing for the 2025 elections, a process he deems essential for restoring constitutional order in Haiti. He concluded his speech by urging the international community to intensify its support to prevent the crisis from plunging the entire region into even greater instability.
Garry Conille and His Jamaican Counterpart, Andrew Holness, Discuss Strengthening the MSS
In the lead-up to this meeting, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille met the previous day with his Jamaican counterpart, Andrew Holness, in New York to discuss security in Haiti. Their discussions focused on the imminent deployment of Jamaican police officers to the multinational force and the equipment support Jamaica plans to provide to combat insecurity.
Dr. Conille also outlined his government’s priorities, particularly regarding security and the organization of elections. Jamaica has already sent an initial contingent of twenty military personnel and four police officers, with further reinforcements expected to arrive soon to support the security mission in Haiti.