Evans Paul believes that force alone will not resolve insecurity

A response that cannot be solely security-focused

Evans Paul relies on what the country has experienced over the past three decades, including international interventions, to argue that coercive responses have shown their limitations. He also sees the crisis having socio-economic roots and calls for addressing the factors that push young people into armed gangs.

He attributes a share of responsibility to families in educating and guiding children. The state, he adds, bears its own, as institutions fail to protect the population.

Gangs that block the economy and voting

For the former government chief, the control of roads by armed groups and illegal tolls hinder the movement of people and goods. Trade suffers in affected areas.

Politically, the grip of gangs on certain territories hinders the holding of an election. Citizens risk not being able to move freely, and their participation may remain limited in several regions. Evans Paul concludes that security cannot be separated from finding a political solution.

The transition and credibility of elections

Evans Paul confides in the political transition the mission of preparing democratic elections. It is about restoring a minimum of security, ensuring free movement, and allowing voters to vote without threats.

He also questions the state's ability to keep its word. Successive postponements of elections and repeated changes to the electoral decree fuel, according to him, doubts about the credibility of the process and the authorities' willingness to respect their commitments.

He further estimates that the next president must be chosen by the Haitian people in a credible process, as the head of state needs the legitimacy given by the ballot box.

The assassination of Jovenel Moïse and international sanctions

Evans Paul cites the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, killed at his home on July 7, 2021, as an example of the state's security shortcomings. In his view, measures taken have not corrected the problems that this crime revealed. He also wonders if Haitian justice will be able to shed full light on the case, much of whose proceedings take place in the United States.

He addresses international sanctions, which he describes as a political dilemma and a moral burden, and says that authorities must evaluate them. Scoop FM's report does not provide further details on this point.

Source: Scoop FM