Port-au-Prince/Brussels, 18 July 2007: Haiti's nascent stability and security will remain fragile unless state institutions are extensively strengthened.
Consolidating Stability in Haiti, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines how the weak state needs to consolidate its recent gains. President René Garcia Préval, with strong support from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), has made real progress in dismantling violent gangs in Port-au-Prince but, for long-term success, state institutions must be strengthened nationwide and basic services provided to the poorest as soon as possible.
"Haiti has an historic opportunity to design a democratic future and establish conditions conducive to economic development", says Damien Helly, Crisis Group's Senior Analyst in Haiti. "However, the state remains very weak and in need of continued security and political, financial and technical support".
Large-scale disarmament has not happened, and violence reduction programs have started slowly. Drug trafficking, political manipulation of the justice sector and impunity are prevalent. Post-conflict and transitional assistance has only just begun to trickle into the capital, and donor/government coordination remains inefficient. The economy is growing, state financial reserves are rising, and inflation and exchange rates are under control but the average citizen has not felt an improvement in living conditions.
MINUSTAH is a bulwark of the security environment but the development of an honest and community-friendly Haitian National Police (HNP) is crucial. To consolidate real stability in the country, the government should oppose any attempt to re-establish the army or otherwise create a second national security force. The rule of law must be strengthened through prison and justice reform, with the extent of future funding linked over time to progress in implementation".
Haiti needs additional competent personnel to encourage decentralised development, limit rural exodus and support democratic governance through local, participatory development projects. The international community should emphasise capacity and institution building, make Haiti a priority country for the new UN Peacebuilding Commission and allocate $50 million to UN agencies to support governance at all levels.
"President Préval enjoys domestic and international support to implement an ambitious, long-term, reform agenda", says Mark Schneider, Crisis Group Senior Vice-President and Special Adviser on Latin America. "He will be able to keep the country from sliding back into all too familiar chaos only if he strengthens state structures, launches major, community-based programs and addresses remaining grievances in society."
Contacts:
Nadim Hasbani (Brussels) +32 (0) 2 541 1635
Kimberly Abbott (Washington) +1 202 785 1601