After the United Nations and the United States, it is Canada’s turn to announce sanctions against gangs in Haiti and their financiers. The Canadian government is finalizing a list containing the names of some of the most notorious gangsters in Haiti and those who finance them. Canada also intends to support the United Nations’ efforts to send a peace mission to Haiti, Canadian Minister of Economic Development Harjit Sajjan told ZOOMHAITINEWS and CARIBBEANTELEVISIONNETWORK in an exclusive interview.
The armed bandits operating in Haiti and those who finance them are definitely in the sights of the international community. After the UN and the US government adopted sanctions against Haitian gang leaders and their sponsors, Canada decided to follow suit.
In response to a direct question from ZOOMHAITINEWS and CaribbeanTelevisionNetwork on Friday, Harjit Sajjan said yes. “Yes, absolutely, and that’s one of the reasons why we have supported the sanctions regime against groups or individuals who support or have links to the armed gangs that are causing many of the problems [of the Haitian people, ed] and that’s one of the things I started, at the beginning, talking about the complexity of the gang situation in the country where this started and we have to answer the question of where they get their financial support, where they get their weapons and the people who support these groups for their own personal and selfish games. We need to have a very strong sanction regime against them,” said Mr. Sajjan, adding that Canada is currently analyzing the data related to the violence in Haiti. “…. we are doing our own analysis of where our sanctions can be most effective, but this is an area that needs to be looked at if there is to be long-term peace and stability in the country. We can add more humanitarian aid, but if it is blocked by the gangs, it will not get to the people,” lamented Canada’s Minister of International Development, who confirmed that his country is currently finalizing a list containing the names of certain Haitian personalities for their alleged involvement in violence in Haiti.
The Canadian official recognizes that humanitarian aid will not be effective if the troublemakers and their sources of funding are not targeted by international sanctions. “We are not going to continue to provide support without targeting some of these individuals. So we’re going to do our job and make sure that these people are targeted by our sanctions, because our ultimate goal is to support the Haitian people,” said the former Vancouver Police officer.
Asked if Canada’s list includes the names of any members of the current government accused of colluding with criminal groups, Mr. Sajjan declined to elaborate. “I am not here to talk about the exact list, we will work with our international partners on this, but it is absolutely unacceptable that anyone who supports these gangs because of the horrible security situation that is created against the Haitian people and which is causing a major humanitarian crisis in the country will be sanctioned,” he promised.
What about the equipment ordered from Canada for the PNH
Regarding the order of weapons and other security equipment placed by the Haitian government several months ago, the Canadian minister rejects reports that Canada had not wanted to deliver the equipment. Canada wanted to ensure that the Haitian National Police (HNP) units that will use the equipment receive the necessary training. “Our support has always been there for the Haitian people, in terms of logistics and timing, all of that has to be taken into account. There has been no delay, but you have to be aware that even with the equipment, we want to make sure that it goes to the appropriate police unit so that they can use it. The equipment is only as good as its proper use.” We have provided support for police training for a number of years and we want to make sure it goes to the appropriate units within the police,” said Harjit Sajjan, who was unable to say whether all the equipment ordered has already been delivered to Haitian authorities.
The Haitian government’s call for foreign intervention.
On the Haitian government’s request to the UN to send military troops to Haiti, Mr. Sajjan was not in a position to say whether Canada would be willing to participate in this force. He believes it is important that there be an objective assessment of why previous UN missions have not been successful. “As I said, I mean, when it comes to the type of support that is needed, there are various options that are looked at, but we’ve seen how we’ve had a peacekeeping mission in place before, and if support is requested and needed, those are things that will be considered, and Canada will look at various options. But what we want to see are the options that will be most effective and that’s what we’re working on right now with our close partners and I’ll be honest with you, we’re here to provide the support where we’re prepared to provide it,” said Harjit Sajjan who insists on the need for the Haitian people to hold their leaders accountable. “Think also that the Haitian people want their own leaders to take the appropriate steps to resolve the situation because the situation as you can see has worsened and the Haitian people are suffering.”
The entire interview will be broadcast live on Monday, October 24 on ZOOMHAITINEWS and CARIBBEANTELEVISIONNETWORK platforms such as: Roku, AmazonFireTV, Alexa, Podcasts, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter .