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Ban expresses deep concern over the continuing political uncertainty in Haiti

Awareness and civic education being carried out in Seprenne, Gonaïves, ahead of Haiti’s 9 August 2015 elections.
UN MINUSTAH
Awareness and civic education being carried out in Seprenne, Gonaïves, ahead of Haiti’s 9 August 2015 elections.

Ban expresses deep concern over the continuing political uncertainty in Haiti

Peace and Security

Concerned that the prevailing uncertainty in Haiti is further compounding the numerous political and socio-economic challenges facing the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that further delays in completing the electoral process can potentially affect stability in the country, as well as international support to it.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called on the National Assembly to urgently decide on a viable arrangement for provisional governance that can ensure the completion of the electoral process and a return to full constitutional order without further delays.

The statement further says that the UN chief urged all stakeholders to act responsibly in the interest of Haiti and its people and to refrain from any incitement or resort to violence.

The UN and its partners in Haiti have also expressed concern that measures to ensure institutional continuity had not been taken despite missing several key deadlines regarding the political transition as well as the ending of term of the country's provisional president.

On 14 February, the Haitian National Assembly elected Jocelerme Privert as the island nation's interim President, one week after former President Michel Martelly departed without a successor. Mr. Privert served as interim President for 120 days, and an election had been scheduled for 24 April, following an agreement – known as the 5 February Agreement – between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process.V

Yesterday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, and the other members of the international community in Haiti represented in the "Core Group" (the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, the United States and the European Union, and the Special Representative of the Organization of American States) issued a joint statement calling on the National Assembly to facilitate the return to constitutional order through the holding of elections without further delay.