Before the end of this year, Haiti will enter electoral mode, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday, though stopping short of setting a specific date. Henry, who had previously postponed a planned general election due to criticism of the then-electoral council, also defended the delay, saying rumors that he intended to cling to power were false.
Elections have been long overdue in Haiti. The last time Haitians were able to choose their own political representatives was in 2016. Parliamentary elections scheduled for 2019 were never organized under the presidency of Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated last year, and general elections did not take place afterwards. As a result, Haiti has been ruled by decree for three years, first under Moïse and now under Henry, his appointed successor.
The United Nations’ Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has been working to help the government organize elections. According to Helen Meagher La Lime, the head of BINUH and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Haiti, her focus is on helping Henry’s government reach a consensus with opposition and civil society leaders to start organizing elections. The process began last year in the wake of Moïse’s assassination and has been slow-moving so far.
La Lime emphasized the need for consensus and said that the current backdrop of violent unrest in Port-au-Prince makes organizing elections difficult. She predicted that Haiti could potentially hold elections in 2023, but acknowledged that the situation was uncertain. “Let’s get through the next elections to see what levels of stability we have at that point. And then BINUH will consider leaving,” she said.
Making Haiti safe for a vote is a significant challenge. Brutal gang battles in parts of Port-au-Prince this summer left whole neighborhoods burned, displaced thousands of families, and trapped others in their homes. Hundreds were left dead, injured, or missing. Criminals still control or influence parts of the city, and kidnappings for ransom threaten residents’ daily movements.
BINUH embeds several dozen officers as advisers within the Haitian National Police (HNP) and has announced a new “basket fund” to support the police, which aims to raise $28 million over the next two years. However, the fund is aimed at long-term goals, such as funding recruitment and training, increasing the representation of women on the force, and improving police infrastructure and stations.
Impatience is growing. In recent weeks, demonstrators in several cities have called for Henry’s resignation in the face of high fuel prices, soaring inflation, and unchecked crime. Henry on Monday acknowledged the popular fury, asking for calm, but also announced he would raise gas prices, igniting further protests.
Conclusion:
Haiti’s political situation is complex and uncertain. The country’s inability to hold elections has led to a prolonged period of instability and violence. The international community, including BINUH, has been working to support the Haitian government in organizing elections, but progress has been slow. The current backdrop of violent unrest makes organizing elections even more challenging.
FAQs:
Q: When will Haiti hold elections?
A: Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that Haiti will enter electoral mode before the end of this year, but did not set a specific date.
Q: Why have elections been delayed?
A: The last general election was held in 2016, and subsequent parliamentary elections scheduled for 2019 were never organized. The delay has been attributed to a lack of consensus among political leaders.
Q: What is the role of BINUH in Haiti?
A: BINUH is the United Nations’ Integrated Office in Haiti, and its head, Helen Meagher La Lime, is the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Haiti. BINUH works with the Haitian government and National Police to support the country’s stability and organization of elections.
Q: What is the current situation in Port-au-Prince?
A: The city is experiencing violent unrest, with gang battles and kidnappings for ransom. This has made it difficult for the government to organize elections and maintain stability.
Q: What is the international community doing to support Haiti?
A: The international community, including BINUH, has been working to support the Haitian government in organizing elections and addressing the country’s stability challenges. However, progress has been slow, and there is growing impatience among the Haitian people.