OAS Urges Haiti to Accelerate Security and Elections; Visible Progress Needed

Haiti must urgently accelerate its efforts to restore security and simultaneously advance preparations for general elections, according to the Organization of American States (OAS). Albert Ramdin, the OAS Secretary General, concluded a four-day mission to the nation with a stark warning about the dual challenges confronting the country.

"We reached a clear conclusion: we must collectively accelerate the work on security and elections," Ramdin stated at the end of the visit by the Inter-American and International High-Level Delegation, which took place from August 16 to 19. He stressed that these two critical dimensions cannot be separated, highlighting their direct link in Haiti's path toward stability.

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We reached a clear conclusion: we must collectively accelerate the work on security and elections.

The OAS's pronouncement comes as Haiti struggles to organize its first general elections in ten years. The country is grappling with a severe security crisis, with armed gangs controlling significant territories and strategic corridors. This volatile environment poses a substantial obstacle to conducting free and fair elections.

Ramdin's visit aimed to assess the situation and encourage progress on both fronts. The delegation's presence underscored the international community's concern and desire to support Haiti's transition toward democratic governance and improved safety. The urgency conveyed by the OAS reflects the precarious state of affairs in Haiti, where progress on security is seen as a prerequisite for credible electoral processes.

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These two dimensions cannot be separated.