Talks underway to resolve current political impasse in Haiti

Discussions are ongoing in Haiti to resolve the current political impasse, Haiti’s Senate President Jocelerme Privert has said, to get the country back on track.

A presidential run-off was postponed on Sunday January 24, following violent protest in the capital Port au Prince.

“What we are trying to do now is look for a solution to cover the presidential void, to cover the dysfunction of the Executive Power and to create conditions so that there is a sense of calm in the country to facilitate the elections .” Jocelerme Privert, Senate President said.

Anti government protesters demanded that the vote to be called off based on claims of irregularities.

They also accused the current President Michell Martelly of favouring his successor, Jovenel Moise who came second in the first round of elections.

Jude Celestin, who came second in the first round of vote,withdrew from the presidential run-off on citing election irregularities.

Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti Sandra Honore, said:

“Even as we speak, there are discussions ongoing between the legislative and the executive on the way forward, on a number of questions concerning not only the second round of the presidential elections and the remaining elections for the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, but also on governance arrangements after the end of the mandate of President Martelly.”

President Michel Martelly is expected to leave office in the next two weeks yet there is no replacement.