Haiti: UN and partners welcome consensus on appointment of interim Prime Minister

The United Nations and its international partners today welcomed the designation of Florence Guillaume as Haiti’s interim Prime Minister.

Mr. Guillaume, who was previously serving as Minister of Public Health and Population, was appointed by Haiti’s President in accordance with Article 165 of the country’s Constitution, according to a news release issued by the UN.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Haiti and other members of the Core Group – comprising the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, United States, and the European Union, as well as the Special Representative of the Organization of American States – commended the President’s efforts to implement the Presidential Advisory Commission’s recommendation.

It also commended the work undertaken by the President, together with the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, the representatives of political parties and other political stakeholders “to forge the necessary consensus” for the nomination of a Prime Minister and the formation of a consensus government.

The Core Group’s members noted with appreciation the positive response by the nine Electoral Councillors to the appeasement measures recommended by the Commission as well as the political goodwill and constructive attitude displayed thus far by various political parties, by responding to the invitation by the President of the country for negotiations.

The Group encouraged all concerned actors to commit to accepting the measures proposed by the Advisory Commission and to respect the President’s constitutional legitimacy. Doing so will preserve stability and create “a climate of confidence, serenity and mutual respect” in efforts to solve the political crisis and allow for the holding of inclusive and fair elections, the news release added.