WASHINGTON, Apr 22, CMC – The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to help Haiti deal with its ongoing security concerns and welcomed the deployment of troops with the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The GSF Haiti is the newly authorised multinational mission by the United Nations Security Council . The 5, 550 strong force which has a 12-month mandate, will work alongside Haitian authorities to neutralize gangs, secure infrastructure, and support humanitarian access.
Its main aim is to protect vulnerable populations from escalating violence and prevent the displacement that inevitably causes.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, held talks with visiting Haitian Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé and re-affirmed Washington’s support for the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country that is dealing with a stability and security problem.
“The Secretary welcomed progress on the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force and reaffirmed the need for timely execution of its mandate. Secretary Rubio commended the Prime Minister’s leadership as security forces expand their presence and coordination,” said the Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Tommy Pigott:
“The Secretary stressed the importance of security improvements to enable the country’s path to elections. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the Administration’s support for a multi-year re-authorization of HOPE/HELP to support stabilisation efforts,” Pigott added.
Apart from Rubio, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, who is in the North American country until Thrsday, also met with Mario Díaz-Balart, the Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
A statement said that the discussions focused on the security situation in Haiti, efforts to restore state authority, and the conditions necessary for holding credible, free, and inclusive elections.
Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, stressed that security remains essential for any democratic transition and the holding of general elections,while Díaz-Balart reaffirmed the U.S. Congress’s interest in Haiti’s stability and encouraged continued efforts to restore security and strengthen democratic institutions.
In his discussions with Democratic Party leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, a long-time advocate for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the rights of immigrant communities, the Haitian leader reaffirmed the importance of TPS for thousands of Haitian nationals living in the United States.
The meeting with Schumer has been described as part of a series of diplomatic efforts to advocate for the maintenance and renewal of protections granted to the Haitian diaspora, within a still fragile humanitarian and security context.
The bilateral meeting with Democrat Raphael Warnock also involved the security situation, Haiti’s economic and institutional priorities, and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The discussions also focused on economic development issues, including job creation for young people and programs to support social stability.
Prime Minister Fils-Aimé also held a working session with Republican Gregory Murphy to discuss Haiti’s strategic priorities, including security, the economy, and the humanitarian situation.
“Discussions focused on the need to strengthen security through increased cooperation with international partners to create the conditions for a credible electoral process,” according to a statement issued after the talks.
