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UN chief "deeply concerned" over political uncertainty in Haiti

Xinhua, June 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "is deeply concerned over the continuing political uncertainty in Haiti," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said here Thursday.

"The secretary-general notes that the prevailing situation is further compounding the numerous political and socio-economic challenges facing Haiti," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here, reading a prepared statement.

"Continued political uncertainty and further delays in completing the electoral process have the potential to adversely affect stability in Haiti, as well as international support to the country," the statement said.

"The secretary-general calls on the National Assembly to urgently take a decision and determine a viable arrangement for provisional governance that can ensure the completion of the electoral process and a return to full constitutional order without further delays," the statement said.

"He urges all stakeholders to act responsibly in the interest of their country and people, including by refraining from any incitement or resort to violence," the statement added.

On April 25, the UN chief said he noted with "deep concern" that the agreed upon date of April 24 set in the Feb. 5 agreement for holding elections in Haiti has not been met and that no alternate electoral calendar has been announced.

On April 21, Haitian President Jocelerme Privert said that Haiti's repeatedly postponed presidential election may not happen until October, after street protests erupted on the day when the small Caribbean nation missed an agreed date for a run-off vote.

Since the first round of presidential elections in October 2015, during which Jude Celestin, the opposition candidate, finished second in a field of 54 candidates to ruling party candidate, Jovenel Moise. Celestin has claimed that the government of former President Michel Martelly is manipulating results in favor of Moise.

Haiti has been mired in a deep political crisis since last year, which forced Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to resign and left Parliament in limbo following postponement of parliamentary elections. Endit