Visiting Montreal, a Haitian opponent denounces Canadian policy

Fritz Alphonse Jean has been visiting Canada since last Thursday.

An opponent of the current Haitian government, Fritz Alphonse Jean, passing through Montreal, criticized Canadian policy in Haiti in Saint-Michel on Saturday, in front of some 300 Montrealers.

Mr. Jean chairs the Montana Accord Group. This is the name of the hotel where the document was signed by around 50 political parties and civil society organizations. While he congratulates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the Canadian sanctions which affect some twenty political, governmental and business figures, the economist considers Ottawa's attitude towards the de facto Port regime strange. -au-Prince.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Trudeau for the sanctions that affect at least two members of the current Haitian government, but we do not understand his tolerance towards Prime Minister Ariel Henri”, he launches to the applause of the audience gathered at the Haitian cultural center La Perle Regained.

An alternative in Haiti?

Moreover, Mr. Jean believes that Canada is far from the account in terms of people to be sanctioned in this country. “The list is totally incomplete. The majority of people in Haiti know it,” maintains the leader of the Montana group.

In an interview with Métro, Fritz Alphonse Jean, who was chosen by this sociopolitical organization to preside over the transition following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021 presents itself as the alternative to the power in place in Haiti.

“Montana and its allies are sufficient as a project to change governance and settle the question of insecurity,” says Mr. Jean. The latter met during his visit to Canada with several officials, including Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet.

But he refuses to specify whether he has met with members of Justin Trudeau's government. “I met officials, but all the meetings I made are confidential,” says the Haitian opponent.

Intervention or not?

Mr. Jean says he is against any military intervention in Haiti because of past failures. Rather, he speaks of a task force that would be led by Haiti, Haitian security experts based in Canada, France or the United States.

“International experts in urban guerrillas could integrate this force”, admits the anti-interventionist. The Haitian National Police has about 9,000 troops for a population of 12 million, a number well below international security standards.  

“We are against any military intervention in Haiti,” said one of the organizers of the meeting, Ismael Rebert. His colleague Jenny-Laure Sully added: “we don't want false solutions”. Past military interventions such as the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTHA) have come to nothing.  

A second protest will be held later Sunday outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's MP office.