Kamala Harris to Press for Multinational Armed Force in Haiti
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As Haiti worsens, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris will press Prime Minister Philip Davis and Caricom to commit to a multinational force to assist the troubled Caribbean nation regain a level of stability.
The big picture
Vice President Harris is the highest ranking US official to visit the Bahamas since Independence.
Daily life in Haiti is marked by widespread violence, with deep political, social and economic stability and its problems seems unsolvable as Haitians seek refuge in other Caribbean countries, the United States and Canada.
It is hoped the multinational force could support the country’s national police in the capital Port-au-Prince where violence is rife and gangs have taken over airports and ports of entry.
Why it matters
The Biden’s adminstration has attempted discussions for a multinational force to be deployed to Haiti since October, opting for Canada to lead the way, put plans faltered because neither reached an agreement on who whould take the lead.
“The worsening security situation requires an international response, which is why the United States strongly support the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti, which the Vice President will make clear to the Caribbean leader,” officials told Miami Herald on Harris’ visit.
“In Nassau, the vice president will reiterate our administration’s support for a multinational force in Haiti,” a senior administration official said. “We’ve made it clear that we believe the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti is worsening and the situation on the ground will not improve without armed security assistance from international partners.
“Any decisions about such a security force would be done in consultation with the Haitian government as well as the UN. Those discussions are still ongoing,” the official added. “We will remain in coordination with partners on next steps to address urgent security needs.”
US Officials said she will announce $50 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti.
Besides PM Davis, other leaders participating in talks are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.
