Antigua and Barbuda commits to sending ABDF personnel to Haiti

As part of efforts to restore law and order in Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, along with two other Caribbean states, has pledged to send military personnel.

While there is no set date for the soldiers’ departure, Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated on Monday that there is no determination at this point on how many members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) will be dispatched to Haiti.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Browne participated in discussions held by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, along with his CARICOM colleagues.

The meeting provided a platform for high-level discussions on strategies to support Haiti in its path toward stability, prosperity, and effective governance.

Leaders from the Caribbean region came together to exchange ideas, share insights, and reaffirm their collective dedication to fostering positive change in Haiti.

Discussions were also held on a proposal for a Kenyan-led multinational force to restore security to Haiti, with contributions from interested parties to include the United States, Canada, and other members of the United Nations family.

Jamaica and the Bahamas have also pledged to deploy personnel.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Browne noted that the recent mission by the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group voiced deep concerns over the rising dominance of gangs and the ensuing human rights crisis.

He emphasized that an urgent, comprehensive, coordinated intervention is required to restore governance, security, and the rule of law while resolving the humanitarian needs.

The CARICOM Eminent persons strongly recommended that a broad-based transitional government is the linchpin for effective governance.

It is their aspiration that this proposed representative transitional government materializes, with external assistance to restore order and bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Haitian people.

Prime Minister Browne reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s solidarity with the Haitian people and pledged to collaborate with all Haitian stakeholders, and with the international community, in the efforts to reinstate the rule of law, restoring democracy, and assisting with security and humanitarian relief.

In his address, he stated that the people of Haiti deserve no less.