Statement by the President of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, at the conclusion of a Special Meeting of the Permanent Council on Haiti on 17 November 2023
As we conclude today’s meeting, it is crucial that we reflect deeply on the continuing plight of the Haitian people.
Their suffering, tragically amplified by the dominance of armed gangs, is rooted in a history marred by oppression, exploitation, and a series of dictatorships.
The profound poverty and underdevelopment of Haiti are not just symptoms but also the root causes of the country’s enduring challenges. While re-establishing security is an imperative step towards restoring law and order, making the streets safer, and offering a semblance of normality, we must recognize that it is just the beginning.
The resolution of Haiti’s problems does not end with the disarmament of gangs; that is only a gateway to a much-needed, broader economic and social transformation. A vision for Haiti should extend far beyond recovering it from lawless gangs and declaring, “Mission accomplished”.
The Haitian people, who have endured so much suffering for so long, deserve a future that aligns with the basic tenets of a civilized and thriving society. They deserve the dignity of decent housing, the certainty of access to essential services like water and electricity – not as privileges, but as fundamental rights. They deserve opportunities for employment that offer both sustenance and a path to a dignified life.
Education, the bedrock of progress, must be accessible to all children in Haiti, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to climb the ladder of success. Furthermore, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the shadow of dictatorship and the blight of corruption are lifted from their lives.
The Haitian people deserve no less than the opportunity to thrive in their own country and in circumstances where their rights are protected, their voices are heard, and their dreams are attainable, and Haitian women deserve a life free of violence and rape.
Let us leave this meeting with an understanding that our work does not end here; but we must get the priorities right, spending our effort and other resources on an agenda that is helpful and meaningful.
We should all make a concerted effort to stand with the Haitian people to make Haiti it the country they want for this generation; the next generation and the generations yet unborn.
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Wow 😳😳 wow wow I’m tired of this Interlectual Arse Whole Caribbean Leaders remember that Haiti’s problem is designed by the French United States of America and Canada to keep the people apart Two Sir Ron Saunders I agree that their are Gangs let us look at G9 who is suppling that particular gang with Arms and Ammunition an example what is taking place in West African States Niger Gabon Mali Bokino Faso the French Troupes are fighting terrorist group for over twenty years with all these sophisticated weapons and high tech they cannot defeat the terrorist they can’t defeat themselves it is designed that way to continue to steal the asset have you noticed the change in those countries since those young people take over Have you noticed how the Western leaders are upset Now why are we labelling all as Gangs they are not the Group that is Headed by Jimmy Barbacue Chazier they are Economical Freedom Fighters EFF one cause only to control the wealth in the country the Lithium Gold Minerals Let it be known that the areas that are control by the Freedom Fighters not Gangs is preventing the Infidel US French and Canadaians from stealing the Wealth so let us negotiate the Freedom Fighters will cooperate a new government disarmament will be a priority for our country So let us see if you will disarm G9 Haiti will be the fastest growing economy in the Western Hemisphere just like Niger we will welcome the Russian and the Chinese to assist us rebuild our infrastructure
@Uand I
For goodness’ sake; when will we stop making excuses for poor governance, incompetent and corrupt leadership? It’s always something or somebody else to blame for our failings. Haitians revolted against their French masters in 1791 and heroically defeated them. The country became independent in 1804. The Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo) declared its independence from Haiti in 1844, you can read into that as often as you choose with disbelief. Consider: the state of Haiti after 220 years of independence is a colossal monument to the incompetence, corruption and poor leadership mentioned before. Remember Papa Doc Duvalier and his ton ton macoutes? A murderous approved gang of Papa Doc’ para military thugs that kept the downtrodden population in line. How did he improve the lives of his people? By making the occasional trip to the countryside and handing out a few cents to his grateful and fearful people. The good doctor and his family lived like kings of course. He was succeeded by his son “Baby Doc” who departed to France to continue his lavish lifestyle, no problem. What on earth France, The USA and Canada had to do with this sad stae of affairs in the year of Our Lord 2023 is beyond me. The African countries you mentioned now have new masters as you well know, except they might be too dim to realize it. Their mineral resources are now controlled by, guess who? Open your eyes and see!
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