WASHINGTON, DC -- THE Federation has thrown its support behind a new roadmap for the stabilization of Haiti, as confirmed by its representative at the Organization of American States (OAS).
During a regular meeting of the OAS Permanent Council on Wednesday (Aug. 20), Minister Counselor and Alternate Representative Augustine Skerritt commended the hemispheric body's efforts to prioritize peace and security in Haiti.
He stated that St. Kitts and Nevis is "enthused" by the process, but also cautioned that it must be approached with the proper context, emphasizing that "we understand that the cost of freedom can be extremely high and we know that our forefathers, in many instances, have paid the ultimate price for freedom. Our very existence is a living testament to this."
"So here we are, Chair, having been mandated in Antigua and Barbuda to assist, we are now in the process of charting a roadmap that we hope will lead to the ever-elusive redemption, vindication and ultimately complete freedom for Haiti," he continued. Chair, St. Kitts and Nevis supports the collective process in principle and believes that a Haitian-led initiative can be productive."
Skerritt acknowledged that the path ahead would be difficult: "we know that the road ahead... will be a difficult one, but we must press on. We must press on to establish and maintain security for the state because we know that without security nothing else can be achieved. We must press on to ensure that the work being done directly impacts the Haitian people in as short a time frame as possible."
The OAS Roadmap
The OAS roadmap is a Haitian-led, internationally supported framework designed to address the severe governance and security crisis wothin the . According to the OAS, the plan outlines a phased approach to restore stability, recognizing that armed gangs control nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince.
Under the Roadmap, there will a be Haitian leadership and ownership: The plan strengthens national institutions and ensures sovereignty, with international support coordinated by the OAS, CARICOM, the UN, and other partners.
Security First: The roadmap prioritizes peace restoration as the foundation for all other progress, including humanitarian access, political consensus, and sustainable development.
Integrated Action: It links immediate emergency measures with long-term structural reforms to provide both quick relief and lasting resilience.
Human Rights and Accountability: The plan includes a monitoring dashboard to ensure transparency, uphold the rule of law, and track progress and donor contributions.
