Haiti: Special delegates meet opposition in a bid to quell political tension

The Ecuadorian and Venezuelan foreign ministers met with opposition parties on Tuesday (February 02) as the international community seeks to resolve political deadlock in the Caribbean nation. This is after the presidential elections were cancelled late last month amidst violence and accusations of fraud.

The two foreign ministers are in Haiti as part of a delegation from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). They travelled to the country’s parliament building to meet with Senate President Joselerme Privet. He informed journalists that the discussions were about Martelly leaving office by February 7

“What the president has always said is that he will leave power on February 7, 2016. All mechanisms which exists allows for the president’s exit so that the country does not fall to crisis and destabilise politics. This is all the discussion that we have had, that the president leaves and that the country does not fall into chaos. So, the president has to leave and that the country remains in peace. The world also have confidence in elections and a new president,” said Privet.

Government supporters took to the streets as Haiti’s opposition rejected a proposal by outgoing President Michel Martelly to form a temporary government to organise elections, after a run-off presidential vote. Supporters of Martelly spoke out against an interim government on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

“Today thanks to President Martelly we have many things that former presidents have not been able to do in 20, 30 years. Martelly did them in five years. If you want power in the country don’t ask for a transitional government. You need to work hard to get votes,” said one of the demonstrators.