Statement by Ambassador Michel Xavier Biang, Permanent Representative of the Gabonese Republic to the UN, and Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti, at a UN Security Council Briefing on Haiti

July 6, 2023

Mister President,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely Ghana, Mozambique and my country, Gabon. I thank the special representative Maria Isabel Salvador for her presentation on the situation in Haiti.
2. The alarming situation and the multifaceted crisis that Haiti is going through are well known to this council. Is it necessary to discuss more on rampant insecurity which continues to seriously harm the functioning of state institutions and on the emptiness of the means available to the Haitian police to deal with it.
3. What the Haitian people needs today is an urgent, concerted, targeted and oriented action towards the transformation of the daily life of the populations. An active international solidarity to get out of the infernal cycle of violence. A large-scale resource mobilization to implement the humanitarian response plan, estimated at $ 720 million, in order to rescue 600,000 Haitians in need of humanitarian aid.
4. On the political level, we encourage the inclusive dialogue efforts of the High Transitional Council to achieve the broadest and most representative consensus possible around the December 21, agreement, in particular through the holding of a national political forum on May 23 and 24 in Port-au-Prince.
5. The participation of non-signatories and civil society groups, as well as that of many women, is the best way to pave the way, including through constitutional reform, towards the restoration of a political climate conducive to the organization of free and credible elections under conditions acceptable by all.

Mister President,

6. The A3 takes note of the call addressed to the Transitional Council to set up a group of experts to revise the Constitution and to organize popular consultations as well as for the establishment of a provisional electoral council to prepare for elections.
7. The people of Haiti must engage with more courage and determination to revive hope and put on the coat of their historical resilience in a context marked by multiple crises at the security, humanitarian, climate, political and governance levels.
8. The role of friendly countries, especially that of Caricom, turns out to be crucial. We commend the good offices and other solidarity-based initiatives undertaken by this regional organization, in particular the establishment of a group of eminent personalities, in order to facilitate the dialogue among the stakeholders. These actions must be anchored on the desire to support Haitians to take their fate into their own hands.
9. The aggravation of violence, especially in the West department, and the daily indiscriminate attacks against populations, including women and children, using snipers and other barbaric acts in violation of human rights is unbearable.
10. It is fundamental to fight against violence in order to reinstate the authority of the State, to rehabilitate economic factors, to stem human rights violations, to restore academic and health systems, and to revive the economy. It is unacceptable that populations, including women and young girls, become hostages in the fights among rival gangs.

Mister President,

11. The extent of violence generates significant displacements of populations inside and outside the country. More than 127,977 people displaced according to the IOM last March. The designation of a United Nations expert on human rights issues is certainly desirable. The A3 calls for priority action towards fragile populations such as women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
12. Due to the emergency and acuteness of the current security situation, it is imperative to prioritize the joint funding program, intended to support the professionalization of the national police in Haiti, also known as “Basket Fund”. It is more than urgent to reach the USD $ 28 million required to ensure population safety. To date, only 17.7 million have been mobilized for this fund.
13. The A3 calls to further support the sector of justice, in particular the certification of judges and the reforms necessary for the proper functioning of justice. The culmination of protruding judicial affairs, which remain to date without follow-up, is essential to bring confidence within the populations and to reconnect the social contract among Haitians.
14. The A3 welcomes the holding of an ECOSOC meeting on June 16 and the presentation of the national recovery plan of the Haitian agricultural system to get this country out of the critical food crisis that it is going through. Children’s food security must be taken very seriously to prevent it from degenerating and that its lasting effects extend. Everything must be done to avoid sacrificing a generation of Haitians.
15. Ghana, Mozambique and Gabon support the initiative of Secretary General Antonio Guterres to include Haiti among the 30 countries where the “Early Warning for All” initiative will be implemented. Faced with earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, Ebola epidemic and other threats, helping Haiti in a sustainable manner commands a vigorous and resolved action in the future.
16. The A3 encourages joint initiatives undertaken by the country team and other stakeholders from the United Nations, including private partners, in implementing the five-year cooperation framework signed on April 19 between the Haitian authorities and the United Nations on sustainable development.
17. We are delighted that this framework is based on the link between peace, security and development, with a strategy of protection against exploitation and sexual abuse, capacity building and attenuation of risks. Actions must aim at giving back to Haiti its ability to produce, to provide job opportunities for young people, so that immigration is no longer the only way out of salvation, and to allow it to respond to natural disasters and epidemics which cyclically threaten its social fabric.
18. We call on donors to strengthen their engagement to Haiti through coordinated and sustainable frameworks. Haiti needs the solidarity and the support of all. We support the international advocacy carried by UNICEF in its capacity as Principal Advocate for the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Haiti. The multifaceted crisis that rages in Haiti must absolutely not be forgotten.
19. To conclude, Mr. President, we reiterate our firm will to remain alongside the brother people of Haiti and encourage all political actors to favor dialogue and consultation to overcome their differences to bring peace to Haiti and to build their future by honoring the illustrious past which, in the past centuries, has been the pride of this valiant people.

Thank you.