US Special Envoy for Haiti faces criticism after weekend of meetings with officials | Voice of America

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WASHINGTON / PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITITI – Some Haitian officials express doubts and criticism over US Special Envoy Daniel Foote’s mission to Haiti after having meetings this weekend with National Police Chief Léon Charles and Senate President Joseph Lambert.

“(That’s just) one more American official. But what for?” Senator Patrice Dumont, one of 10 Haitian senators whose parliamentary term has not expired, told VOA. “Haiti is an adult and should solve its own problems.

FILE – Haitian Senator Patrice Dumont gestures during an interview with Reuters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, July 15, 2021.

Asked by VOA if Haiti should accept American aid to resolve its political crisis, Dumont replied: “Absolutely not.

A State Department statement emailed to VOA said Foote will lead “US diplomatic efforts and coordinate the efforts of US federal agencies in Haiti from Washington,” will advise the secretary and acting deputy secretary of the Office of Foreign Affairs. the Western Hemisphere, and will coordinate closely with National Security. Council staff on the administration’s efforts to support the Haitian people and Haiti’s democratic institutions following the tragic assassination of (President) Jovenel Moise. ”

The National Police posted three photos on their official Twitter account on Saturday showing Charles meeting with Foote, US Ambassador Michele Sison and a police official.

The post did not provide any details of what was discussed at the meeting. He only indicated that it was a response to a request for assistance made by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph shortly after Moise’s assassination.

Following the request of the former Prime Minister, Claude Joseph, shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Mose; for Haiti to benefit from the support of the United Nations, Ambassador Daniel FOOTE Special Envoy for Haiti, United States Ambassador Michele J. SISON, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/uAlpoE9CWv

PNH (@pnh_officiel) July 24, 2021

Lambert also posted on Twitter a photo of his meeting on Sunday with Foote and Sison.

“I was invited by Ambassadors Sison and Foote. Our conversation was intense. Our discussions took into consideration the situation in Haiti, which is currently at an impasse, as well as the urgency of restoring the country’s institutions, ”Lambert tweeted.

I was invited by Ambassadors Sison and Foote. Our conversation was intense. Our exchanges considered the situation of Haiti which is at an impasse and the urgency of the actions which must be good to remake the institutions of the State. pic.twitter.com/A6ZvU8XUgn

Snateur Joseph Lambert (@josephlambertHT) July 25, 2021

Foote is a foreign service officer whose experience as a diplomat includes two Deputy Chef de Mission positions at the United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince. He was also the US Ambassador to Zambia during the Trump administration.

The envoy arrived in Haiti on Friday with a delegation of US officials appointed by President Joe Biden to represent the United States at Moise’s state funeral. The delegation was evacuated from Haiti after gunfire erupted and angry protesters approached a private compound serving as a funeral site.

Pastor Edouard Paultre, who heads the civil society organization National Council of Non-State Actors, said Foote should follow the will of the Haitian people.

“This is a time of extreme distress for our nation, as well as institutional bankruptcy. None of our institutions are able to function properly. It is in this context that Daniel Foote arrives in Haiti. But it also comes at a time when civil society is working with other sectors of Haiti to seek a solution to the crisis, ”Paultre told VOA. “I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he shouldn’t be making unilateral decisions.”

The pastor said he believed Foote should work with Haitians towards an “inter-Haitian” consensus.

Foote has yet to comment on his meetings with Haitian officials. But two US officials who traveled with him from Washington to Haiti for the funeral on Friday have released statements about their brief stay in the country.

New York Democrat Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House of Representatives’ foreign relations committee, said the United States wanted to support the Haitian people in their work for security and a stable government.

“The time has come for the international community to listen to the voice of the Haitian people and stand side by side with them as they go through these turbulent times, helping to create a better future for all of Haiti,” Meeks said in a press release sent by email. to VOA.

US Representative Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska, posted on Twitter a video message he recorded on the tarmac at Cap-Haitien airport. He expressed regret that he had to leave so abruptly.

Today, I traveled as part of a presidential delegation to attend the funeral of Haitian President Moise. Unfortunately, after gunfire nearby, we had to evacuate quickly. Here is a short video from # Haiti: pic.twitter.com/UD0X2PEhC4

Jeff Fortenberry (@JeffFortenberry) July 23, 2021

“I regret it, because it’s a little outrageous, the way we had to leave,” Fortenberry said. “It’s an important country, close to America. He is on our doorstep because we have tried to help in a meaningful way over the years, and we want to stand in solidarity with the Haitian people as they cry and suffer. ”

Fortenberry expressed hope that the tragedy of Moise’s assassination would lead to redevelopment and hope for the Haitian people in the future.

Congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

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