By Rezo Nodwes, August 18, 2023
As the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, the country's political leaders are increasingly voicing their concerns about the inaction of the national authorities. For some, this inaction could serve as a pretext for external intervention, notably on the part of the United Nations. This is the opinion expressed by Clarens Renois, leader of the Union for Reconciliation and Progress (UNIR).
"We don't need to let our population be sacrificed to justify an intervention", he laments. In an urgent appeal, he called for an immediate and decisive response from the Haitian police and armed forces (FADH). According to Renois, it's time for Haiti's 10,000 police officers and 1,500 military personnel to mobilize jointly to combat the gangs that are bloodying the country and thus restore the much-desired peace.
Renois believes that local resources should be mobilized as a priority to tackle the security crisis. He is critical of what he sees as the marginalization of the FADH from efforts to restore stability to Haiti. He is also critical of what he perceives as the international community's exclusion of the Haitian armed forces from combating gangs.
Renois argued that "by sidelining the army, the international community risks tarnishing its image and weakening its credibility." In his view, FADH's involvement in resolving the crisis would not only help to restore internal security, but also preserve national sovereignty and strengthen Haitian citizens' sense of pride.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted August 21, 2023