KINGSTON, Jamaica- Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, Ariel Henry is expressing optimism that the consultations with Haitian stakeholders being hosted in Jamaica will eventually lead to a sustainable solution to the humanitarian, political and economic crises in the French-speaking Caribbean country.

“We had to leave Haiti to meet and I sincerely hope that this meeting will be successful and this will lead to even more fruitful meetings because we had so many meetings [on] so many subjects that we have to agree on to have a consensus on,” he said at Sunday’s opening ceremony for the three-day stakeholder meetings being held at the Liberty Hall at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s headquarters in downtown Kingston.

The Haitian consultations were endorsed by Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government, following Jamaica’s offer to host the meetings during its participation in a mission to Haiti, led by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in February this year.

Henry said that he is pleased that members of Caricom have convinced all the other stakeholders to convene in Kingston to have these discussions, which he is hopeful will not just result in another agreement, but a tangible solution.

“We did not come here to negotiate for another agreement. We are here to speak together and talk about national interests and the next steps we have to take to build our democracy amongst ourselves with our brothers and sisters from Caricom,” he said.

He said that Caricom convincing everyone that a long lasting solution can be brought about through commitment and dialogue, “is the first step and I hope that there will be others that will allow us to go through all of the stages necessary to rebuild our country.”

“We all know that no sustainable solution…will come from outside, neither can it be imposed by others, whether they be from Caricom or elsewhere. It is up to us, the people of Haiti to…amongst ourselves through our own efforts find a national common project which will bring us together and to have a rebirth of our nation,” he said.

He called on all Haitian stakeholders to participate actively in the three days of discussions, “so that we can have a collaboration in good faith with the will to reach a solution.”

“Our people are looking at us and we have to agree on…not just another agreement, but agreement in concrete actions to take us out of the morass and abject misery. I will leave it up to you to discuss. I will intervene and speak whenever necessary. Long live democracy, long live dialogue and consultation, long live Haiti. So let us walk together. Haiti will rise again,” he asserted.

In the meantime, PM Holness said Jamaica supports the process of inclusive and open dialogue and efforts to find solutions and approaches to Haiti’s ongoing challenges.

“It is encouraging to see represented here…stakeholders from a broad spectrum of sectors of Haitian society…Jamaica is honoured to have been entrusted by Caricom, and by you, to host these talks at a time when dialogue at every possible level is necessary and critical,” he said.

Holness said the consultations are also in support of a larger framework of complementary processes taking place at the national level in Haiti, and among Haiti’s international partners bilaterally, and with international partners.

“You can be assured of Jamaica’s continued support as we work in different ways towards restoring peace and prosperity to the world’s first free Black Republic; restoring the stability and well-being that Haiti and her people deserve,” he said.

Also optimistic about the success of the consultations were: Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and chair of the Caricom Conference of Heads of Government, Philip Davis; Secretary-General of the Caricom, Dr Carla Barnett; and member of the Caricom Eminent Persons Group (EPG), former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding.

The EPG, which is also comprised of former Prime Minister of St Lucia Dr Kenny Anthony and former Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie, has been tasked, along with a small team comprising the technical expertise in mediation, security, and political research supported by the Caricom Secretariat, to facilitate the consultations with Haitian stakeholders.

– Alecia Smith