Europe 1 with AFP 4:07 p.m., March 12, 2024

France believes that the inter-Haitian dialogue has made it possible to open "a positive perspective" by laying "the first foundations of an inclusive political transition with a view to free and democratic elections", underlined Secretary of State Chrysoula Zacharopoulou in a written statement sent to AFP.

The emergency meeting in Jamaica of members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and representatives of the UN "provided important elements of response to the deep political, humanitarian and security crisis" in Haiti, he said. she also reacted while a Transition Council must now be composed.

Hopes for appeasement arose Tuesday in Haiti the day after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who gave in to pressure from regional partners in the poorest country in the Americas, plunged into anarchy by the criminal gangs.

“A transitional governance agreement”

The French Secretary of State participated in this emergency meeting.

Without a president - the last head of state, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021 - nor Parliament, Haiti has not had an election since 2016. Ariel Henry, appointed by Jovenel Moïse, should have left office at the beginning of February.

>> READ ALSO -

 Haiti: Port-au-Prince in “state of siege”, the American embassy evacuates part of its staff

“A transitional governance agreement” must lead to “a short-term security action plan” and “free and fair elections”, according to Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana who holds the rotating presidency of Caricom.

The UN Security Council on Monday called on all Haitian political actors to "serious negotiations" to "restore the democratic institutions" of the country which has sunk into a security and humanitarian crisis.

Clashes between police and armed gangs

The Haitian capital is the scene of clashes between police and armed gangs, who have attacked strategic sites such as the presidential palace, police stations and prisons.

Latest sign of the security crisis: the evacuation on Monday of all the staff of the European Union delegation present in Haiti.

>> READ ALSO -

 Violence in Haiti: Pope Francis concerned, calls for peace

During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Americans evacuated their non-essential diplomatic personnel by helicopter.

A French diplomatic source told AFP that the question of evacuating diplomatic personnel was "under study" but no decision has yet been taken.