Canada’s ambassador to Haiti says security needed before elections

``Canada is absolutely concerned with the security situation'' in Haiti, diplomat Sebastien Carriere told The Associated Press from Port-au-Prince.

Ahead of an international conference on Haiti led by his country, Canada’s ambassador to the Caribbean nation called for a politically “inclusive accord” to address a deepening constitutional crisis following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

In an interview in Port-au-Prince, diplomat Sebastien Carriere expressed concern about the degradation of the security situation in Haiti, which will be a central topic of a virtual meeting Friday that will include ministers from Canada, the United States and France, among other countries. The meeting with be led by Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Canada is absolutely concerned with the security situation” in Haiti, Carriere told The Associated Press.

But Carriere added that Haiti’s crisis is multipronged and complex, with economic, humanitarian and security aspects and a looming leadership deadline. Citing U.N. numbers, he said “4.6 million Haitians live in a state of humanitarian emergency.”

Canada views elections as inevitable in Haiti given the institutional collapse but their timing is anybody’s guess.

“Canada believes that the security must be reestablished before elections are held. In the current context it would be very difficult to have elections, in particular with competing political accords,” he said.

Moise’s killing complicated an already fragile political situation in Haiti. He had controversially claimed that his term would end on Feb. 7, 2022. Shortly before his death, Moise had tapped current interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry for the post and many observers think that Henry’s term should end on Feb. 7 as well.

To make the matter worse, Haiti’s legislative and the judiciary branches also face legitimacy crises, along with the executive branch.