OTTAWA – Canada has named André François Giroux as its new ambassador to Haiti, reiterating its position of wanting to continue playing a leadership role in response to the political, security and humanitarian crisis in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Mélanie Joly, in announcing the appointment of Giroux to replace Sébastien Carrière, who has completed his assignment, said that the North American country would continue to play the role through the coordination of international security assistance, the implementation of targeted sanctions and the provision of humanitarian and development assistance to support the urgent needs of the Haitian people.
“Canada will continue to support Haiti and advocate for Haitian-led solutions to the current crisis in the country,” Joly added.
“Canada is committed to continuing to work with its international partners to support Haiti and its people in addressing the widespread violence, crime, and corruption in the country. I would like to express my most sincere thanks to Sébastien Carrière, who has worked tirelessly to support Canada’s efforts in Haiti over the last two years, and congratulate André François Giroux, who will continue this important work.”
In June, Joly announced that Canada would launch a “joint security coordination cell” to respond to the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
Joly had told a ministerial meeting that Canada will lead the effort from Haiti’s neighbour, the Dominican Republic.
The cell will “enhance international efforts in security assistance, working closely with the Haitian National Police and the United Nations to foster a sustainable environment for long-term peace and security in Haiti,” she later said in a tweet.
“The situation on the ground is extremely fragile and the needs are immense — they go beyond Canada’s or any other country’s capacity to address them alone,” Joly said then. (CMC)