As leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concluded their 46th Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to hold elections no later than Aug. 31, 2025, CARICOM said in a statement on Feb. 29.
CARICOM said it would send an assessment team to evaluate electoral needs by March 31 of this year to support planning and establishment of the relevant institutions.
Henry, who came to power after the assassination of the country’s last president, Jovenel Moise, in 2021, had previously pledged to step down by early February, but later said security must first be reestablished in order to ensure free and fair elections.
Making the case for action on the part of regional allies, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said Haiti is “hemorrhaging.”
“We are deeply concerned over the continued deterioration of the security, humanitarian and political situation in Haiti and more importantly we are more concerned over the continued delay in overcoming the political stalemate which has blocked the possibility of free and fair elections,” Davis said.
Though Haiti is no stranger to turmoil, it has faced mounting challenges in the wake of the assassination of former President Moïse in July 2021.
His murder, which sent shock waves throughout the region, came amid grave concerns over the state of Haiti’s economy as well as the legitimacy of Moïse’s presidency after he had been ruling by decree for more than a year despite calls for an election.