Foreign ministers from Caribbean states and Benin met on January 8, 2025, to discuss sending troops to Haiti amid ongoing instability due to gang violence and political issues. Emphasizing Haiti’s symbolic value for the black diaspora, they also aimed to enhance economic ties, aspiring to boost trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean.
On January 8, 2025, foreign ministers from Caribbean nations and Benin convened in Cotonou to discuss the potential dispatch of troops to Haiti. This initiative follows ongoing instability in the island nation, characterized by rampant gang violence and political turmoil. Benin’s Foreign Minister, Olushegun Bakari, emphasized the significance of Haiti as the first black republic and how its fate impacts all individuals of African descent, stating that “if Haiti falls all we black people fall”. Given the socio-economic challenges facing Haiti, both regions aim to enhance cooperation, with plans to double trade to $1.8 billion by 2028 and to encourage investments across various sectors including agriculture and tourism. In addition to military considerations, the delegates addressed promoting memorial tourism to allow Caribbean nationals to explore historical sites in Benin related to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Haiti’s historical precedence as the first black republic and its longstanding issues with poverty, gang violence, and political instability prompted Caribbean nations and Benin to consider a military intervention. The decision reflects a broader narrative about the interconnectedness of the African diaspora and the symbolic importance of Haiti’s stability to black communities worldwide. The recent meeting also marked an effort to build ties between Africa and the Caribbean, signaling a mutual interest in economic development and cultural exchange.
The meeting highlights the Caribbean and Benin’s commitment to addressing the instability in Haiti while recognizing its broader implications for the African diaspora. By discussing troop deployment alongside economic cooperation initiatives, the participants aim to foster a dual approach that addresses immediate security concerns while promoting long-term regional development.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
