Ministers Dion and Bibeau concerned by postponement of Haiti's presidential elections

Statement

January 24, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement regarding the postponement of presidential elections in Haiti:

“Canada is closely monitoring the electoral process in Haiti and deplores the violent acts of the past few days, which have led the country’s Provisional Electoral Council to postpone the elections that should have been held today.

“Canada regrets the lack of willingness to achieve consensus in pursuing the electoral process, which has resulted in the current crisis and to the suspension of the electoral calendar.

“Concluding the second round of presidential elections is essential to Haiti’s stability and to the upholding of Haitians’ democratic rights.

“As a partner of Haiti and the Haitian people, Canada encourages Haiti’s political actors to work together so that the partial legislative elections and second round of presidential elections may be held as quickly as possible.

“Haitians are facing enormous economic and humanitarian challenges. To overcome these challenges and realize their aspirations, the Haitian people need to be able to rely on leaders who are elected and accountable to the public.”

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