Jamaica hosted a high-level CARICOM meeting on the worsening sociopolitical crisis in Haiti in New Kingston on Monday (March 11).

Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew in to participate and work with Caribbean leaders to find solutions to the lawlessness and collapse of government now taking place in Haiti.

Here, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness displayed his statesmanship and ability to be a lead player around such an international table.

What he had to say about Haiti was both astute and pertinent. Decisive action is now needed.

His full address is as follows: 

Colleagues, Heads of Government, welcome to Jamaica and to this Special Meeting which our country is honoured to host.

Despite sustained efforts and many attempts made over time by Haitians, by members of CARICOM, and by international partners to find a solution to the political, security and humanitarian catastrophe, the situation in Haiti continues to worsen on the ground, especially in the last weeks.

Without recounting the disruptions and violence being experienced by ordinary Haitians, the attacks on institutions and infrastructure, it is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point. 

CARICOM and our regional partners are deeply concerned, as are our international partners here present and beyond.  CARICOM Heads have been intensively engaged in discussions and outreach, which deepened over the past week.  Strong and decisive action owned by the people of Haiti, must be taken to stem the sea of lawlessness and hopelessness, before it is too late.  

We are deeply distressed that it is already too late for too many who have lost far too much at the hands of criminal gangs. The fear of the situation in Haiti worsening to become a civil war is now a real one. We are all agreed that this cannot be allowed to happen! Not in this hemisphere, with its longstanding democratic traditions and reputation as a zone of peace. 

Over many decades, international assistance has been given to Haiti towards the development of a foundation for free and fair elections, reliable and capable national institutions and sustained and sustainable socio-economic development.  

Many of our partners sitting at this table have been a part of these efforts. Haiti needs new cohesive domestic resolve and the requisite support from its partners. The people of Haiti deserve the opportunity to experience another way of being, to determine their destiny, to secure their rights and to be free from oppressive forces from within and without. This will require a long-term reconstruction and support plan from the region and the international partners.

The Haitian National Police (HNP) is currently under-resourced and out-manned. The UN Security Council-approved Multi National Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti is, therefore, a critical and necessary first step to restore basic law and order and provide an environment of stability to allow the distribution of assistance and the crafting of medium and long-term solutions.  On this, I am certain we can all agree.  

We can also agree that Haitian voices must be central to any deliberation towards a resolution of the situation. The Haitian people must feel that they are a vital part of the process, having ownership in its planning and implementation.  

We are aware that there have been many voices assuring that they speak on behalf of the people of Haiti, and every effort has been made to reach the widest representative groupings.  

However, we who have agreed to facilitate or support consensus, will do an injustice to the people of Haiti if we ourselves become paralysed, unable to move forward with urgency and resolve.  We look forward to hearing from the EPG and Prime Minister [Mia] Mottley on the most recent efforts undertaken to build consensus. 

This special meeting must lead us closer to action.  With each passing day, the situation becomes more dire for the majority of the people of Haiti, and indeed the region. 

We must resolve to end this state of play, and by our actions, provide hope for Haitians, that this time, there will be a positive outcome and things will indeed get better.

Colleagues, Excellencies

Disjointed efforts will be no match for those who would seek to sow discord to prevent a just and secure future for Haiti.  I am pleased, therefore, that we have convened at such short notice with the determination that, this time, we will do for Haiti, what needs to be done.

Jamaica remains firmly committed to the Haitian cause as demonstrated through the conduct of our regional responsibilities within the MSS Mission, our level of engagement in CARICOM and at the United Nations. 

I commend the chair of conference (President Irfaan Ali), for determining that this meeting should take place, I commend my colleague heads, those countries present, and indeed all countries and agencies which have committed or indicated support for this mission.  

It is my hope that at the end of this meeting, we will have developed a clear and defined pathway forward and will have infused our planning for deployment of the agreed MSS Mission with the urgency and the vision it requires.  

The people of Haiti need and deserve nothing less than safety, freedom and prosperity which is the promise of its long-achieved independence.