ARTICLE - PEACEFUL SOLUTION OR CLASH?

TOWARDS A PEACEFUL SOLUTION OR A CLASH?
(Haiti Libre) -

The same day the Ministry of Interior, ordered the armed individuals in military fatigues, to cease their activities and leave the former barracks of the Armed Forces of Haiti as well as all sites belonging to the Haitian State, Mr. Michel Pierre Brunache, the Minister of Justice and Public Security sent a letter to Mario Andrésol, the Director General of Police Nationale d'Haiti (PNH) requiring him to "take all appropriate measures to stop these actions that violate the Constitution and laws of the Republic [...] the movement of men in uniform and who are sometimes armed, belonging neither to the Minustry or PNH. This is absolutely unacceptable. The police must act with the utmost rigor to stop this illegal situation that disturbs public order."

The day after the statement of the Ministry, Mariano Fernández, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN in Haiti and head of the Minustah, concerned about the presence of armed men in the former barracks of the former FAd'H, which he believes is likely to harm the country's image internationally at a time where its operation is largely dependent on external cooperation, hopes that a peaceful solution is found to this problem and has declared "...I think that the government has reacted very clearly if you read the statement made by the Minister of the Interior. It is remarkably clear [...] We are in complete agreement with the government and we have a mandate at the Security Council to work with government, and with the police. We are ready to make the necessary contribution to solve the problem [...] We believe that, all the claims that these people have, must be made in order, peaceful, and unarmed [...] I think that it is very important for Haiti to finish with these issues in a calm and peaceful way, as soon as possible..."

Wednesday, Anthonal Mortimé, the Executive Secretary of the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH), has urged the government to provide explanations about the source of logistical resources, which these individuals have. According to him, it is not enough to ask them to lay down their arms, but we must opt for a lasting solution. He believes that the Government is handling this file with lightness and irresponsibility, and believes that an amicable solution should not be the choice of the state.

Thursday, the historian Georges Michel, Member of the State Commission on "the organization of the military component of the public force", who works on the project of the establishment of a new Haitian security force in support to the PNH, believes that "It would be unfortunate to use force to dislodge individuals, who claim to be of the former Armed Forces of Haiti. But if they continue to turn a deaf ear to appeals asking them to vacate the premises, the authorities will have to use force."