The top US diplomat has urged Haitian political leaders to work hard to hold elections later this year, and Haiti’s senior civil society activists and other experts have opposed this request amid deep political instability, calling it “mistake.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken spoke to reporters on Monday, calling on Haitian leaders to “unify the country on a more inclusive, peaceful and secure vision and pave the way for free and fair elections this year.”

America and United Nations It has been stated that despite the assassination of Caribbean countries last week, the legislative and presidential elections scheduled to be held in Caribbean countries in September should continue. President Jovenel Moise.

But the killing has plunged the country, which is already facing widespread political instability and a surge in gang violence, into chaos further-said major civil society groups and rights activists Voting may not be the best way out Crisis.

The political landscape is turbulent

The Haitian authorities accused 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans of being part of a mercenary. They opened fire on Moise and his wife Martin Moise at their home in Port-au-Prince in the early morning of July 7.

After Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph ordered a 15-day “martial law” nationwide, the authorities announced that 17 Colombian suspects had been arrested and 3 people had been killed.

On Sunday, Haiti said it had Arrested the so-called mastermind Behind the assassination of Moise was Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian man living in Florida, USA.

But the motive is still unclear. Questions continue about who participated in the killing and what will happen to Haiti’s fragmented and largely non-existent political system.

Since last year, Moise has been in power by decree, and opposition groups, civil society organizations, and leading jurists have stated that his presidency ended in February, stimulating Mass protest Persuade him to step down.

On July 11, soldiers stand guard near the residence of the interim president Claude Joseph in Port-au-Prince, Haiti [Matias Delacroix/AP Photo]

Many state institutions are not functioning, and the national constitution does not know who should lead the government. Joseph claimed to have authority, but was challenged by two other senior politicians, Prime Minister-designate Ariel Henry and the Speaker of the Senate, Joseph Lambert.

U.S. Army

After Moise was killed, Joseph Call on the United States and the United Nations to send troops Went to Haiti last week to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure. So far, the administration of US President Joe Biden has stated that it has no plans to do so, but it has not completely ruled out this possibility.

The idea of ??sending US troops was rejected by the Haitian journalist and activist Monique Kleska. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, he said that the history of such deployments in Haiti was “very bad.”

“As far as the investigation team is concerned, any help we can get is very good,” she said, referring to the ongoing survey Enter the killing of Moyes. “But we certainly don’t need an American team to be there. I’m glad they refused. I hope they continue to refuse.”

U.S. government officials traveled to Haiti on Sunday, and then met with three senior Haiti political leaders-Joseph, Henry and Lambert. Emily Horn, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said that the US delegation encourages open and constructive dialogue to reach an agreement that will enable Haiti to hold free and fair elections.

The United States occupied Haiti from the assassination of President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam in 1915 until 1934. “This occupation has made the situation in Haiti worse than before,” Kleska said, adding that the United Nations mission to Haiti has always had a negative impact.

“We don’t want that,” she said. “We must be clear about the way forward, and the way forward must be the concerted efforts of Haitians, civil society and politicians.”

‘False results’

At the same time, the leading Haitian human rights advocate Pierre Esperance (Pierre Esperance) on July 9 urge Biden has taken a different approach to this country than his predecessor.

“In the current state of insecurity in Haiti, the Biden administration must work hard to create conditions so that our Haitian people-not the United States and the international community-can determine the future of our country, strengthen our democracy, and guarantee our basic human rights. ,” Esperance wrote in a column on the Just Security website.

Esperance pointed out Increasing gang violence During Moise’s presidency — and leading to hundreds of killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement — and described as “shameful” Washington continued to push for September elections in this context.

He said that this is “a road that will definitely lead to false results and the death of countless Haitian citizens.”

“In such a violent and lawless environment, where there is no credible state institution functioning-this situation was nurtured by Moise and ultimately cost him his life-how can opposition candidates run safely? How can people participate? Vote and know they will go home alive? How can people believe the result?”

Andre Michel, a Haitian lawyer and leader of the political opposition, also stated on Friday night that “the solution to the political crisis must be resolved by Haitians, and to a large extent it must be done by the political class and civil society. Reached agreement among society, diaspora and grassroots groups”.

“Any other process is unhealthy and will die when it arrives,” he said Tweet.

The Biden administration’s promotion of elections has also raised doubts in the United States.

“U.S. Haiti policy is at a crossroads,” Democratic Rep. Andy Levine Tweet on Monday. “Will we support an empty form of democracy and demand that elections be held as soon as possible, even if they cannot freely/fairly focus on choosing among those who illegally covet power? Or will we support what Haitian civil society does to restore true democracy? Working?”

Peter Mulrean, who served as the US ambassador to Haiti from 2015 to 2017, also wrote in another Just Security article. pillar Forcing Haiti to hold elections this year “would be a mistake.”

“The degradation of Haitian democracy is now at a tipping point, and it may be a point of no return. It is easy to think that the new elections will clarify the situation and restore stability, but experience tells us the opposite. What Haiti needs is to count the damaged things and repair it. This is what the broad alliance of opposition parties and civil society is calling for,” Mullin said.