NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government says it will resume its diplomatic presence in Haiti after its diplomats were evacuated from the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in March as security in that country deteriorated as criminal gangs sought to overthrow the government.
Fred MitchellForeign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told reporters that Cabinet has approved the resumption of diplomatic presence. The Bahamian embassy in Haiti has 11 local staff and nine diplomatic staff members, including Chargé Commander Godfrey Rolle.
Mitchell also disclosed that the owner of the building housing the Bahamian embassy wants to sell the structure, so officials are looking for new premises.
“Defence Force offices are part of the security detail for the diplomatic mission in Haiti, and so they go in advance to reconnoitre and decide on a place. Then the diplomats will return,” he told reporters.
Mitchell said also that the United Nations resolution allowing for the Kenyan troops that arrived in Haiti last month, has since been extended by a year.
“The Kenyans are just now on the ground. They are the ones who are in operational control and command so, the question of what the mission is, and the specifics of it would have to be left to them and the relationship between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Kenyans and, of course, the Haitian government.
“That means we still have the legal cover for everything, but at the moment, it’s a diplomatic mission, and then we’ll know operationally what happens with the Defence Force,” he said.
The Bahamas government has committed to sending 150 Defence Force officers to joining the Kenyan led multinational team to help stabilize Haiti.
