UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / - 08 April 2008 -- Special Representative for Haiti Hedi Annabi told the Security Council today that the country still faced "clear and continuing threats that democratic debate could relapse into political infighting and instability, and that this could in turn generate violence." 

He did, however, note that progress has been made by the government and steps have been taken towards reform. Haiti has been dogged by corruption and political divisions, which are beginning to finally be addressed. Haiti has also seen an economic upturn and political conditions are favorable for moving forward and extricating the country from the poverty and instability that have long inhibited its development.

However, the situation is precarious and popular dissatisfaction is burgeoning and often takes the form of demonstrations. This threatens to undermine the progress the government has made and without tangible evidence of improvement to the socio-economic situation, particularly the rapidly climbing cost of living, the unhappiness of the Haitian public will only grow greater. Political disagreements are still seething and crime has risen in Port au Prince. Gangs are still very active and the number of kidnappings is up. 

Last week the Secretary General also spoke on Haiti and he likewise emphasized both that Haiti has seen progress in important areas and that the situation is still unstable and subject to renewed disintegration. 

He said, "It is imperative that all those involved in the stabilization of Haiti redouble their efforts to enable the country to seize this historic opportunity to emerge from the destructive cycles of the past." But Ban Ki-Moon also warned that "[t]he institutions of governance continued to suffer from a lack of qualified personnel, poor infrastructure and limited resources."

Both the Secretary-General and the Special Representative have highlighted the importance of the work of the UN Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). They have asked for international support for the mission and the Security Council today had offered continued backing. 

Hopefully, the progress in Haiti will continue and not be stymied by resurgent crime and violence.

--Caroline Patton

Labels: United Nations, U.N.

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