BTN News: The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has raised serious concerns about the persistent corruption issues that are undermining Haiti’s delicate transition process. Following a recent visit to the country, a Caricom delegation issued a statement highlighting how corruption, alongside other critical challenges, has significantly weakened efforts to stabilize Haiti. This visit was prompted by an invitation from Garry Conille, the President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), who sought Caricom’s support amid the ongoing political and socioeconomic crises.
According to Caricom’s statement, the delays in establishing key institutions, coupled with inefficiencies in achieving critical objectives within the assigned timeframe, have exacerbated the fragile state of Haiti’s transition. The delegation noted that allegations of corruption have come at an especially inopportune time, threatening to further erode public trust and the integrity of the transitional process. Caricom emphasized the urgency of addressing these accusations promptly, stressing that the work of Haiti’s anti-corruption investigative body would be crucial in resolving these issues and restoring faith in the transitional government.
Garry Conille, the Haitian Prime Minister, acknowledged the narrow window of opportunity for successful transition, driven by the public’s mounting expectations for tangible results. He pointed out that the lack of resources and the collapse of state institutions were significant barriers to progress. Despite these challenges, Conille assured that efforts were being made to tackle the severe socioeconomic and humanitarian issues that have long plagued the Haitian population.
However, Conille also warned that without resolving the escalating insecurity in the country, progress in other critical areas of governance could be severely compromised. This sentiment was echoed in Caricom’s report, which highlighted widespread concerns about the Haitian state’s inability to enhance security, the underwhelming impact of the Kenyan forces deployed to assist, and the growing disillusionment with the TPC.
In their meetings with civil society representatives and political parties outside the Council, Caricom’s delegation found a shared sense of frustration. The security situation remains dire, with the Haitian police and Kenyan forces struggling to maintain control over the areas they’ve recovered. The report underscored that the Kenyan forces, in particular, are facing significant challenges due to inadequate personnel and equipment. This shortfall has severely limited their capacity to secure reclaimed territories, a critical expectation of the Haitian people.
The delegation also noted that there is a pressing need for adequate funding to support the Kenyan mission, as well as to bolster the Haitian police force. Without addressing these deficiencies, the report suggests, the security situation is unlikely to improve, further delaying the transition process. The urgency of these issues is compounded by fears that if the current pace of progress continues, Haiti may not meet the February 2026 deadline for the inauguration of an elected president, a crucial milestone in the nation’s path to stability.
Overall, Caricom’s findings paint a grim picture of the challenges facing Haiti’s transitional government. The interplay of corruption, insecurity, and institutional collapse threatens to derail the entire process, leaving the Haitian people in a state of continued uncertainty and unrest. As the February 2026 deadline looms, the need for swift and decisive action has never been more critical.
