Regional Briefs

Julian Robinson to head electoral observer mission to Montserrat

People's National Party General Secretary Julian Robinson is to head a seven-member observer mission to the November 18 general election in Montserrat.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) has been invited by Governor Andrew Pearce to observe the election in which nine seats are to be contested.

Last week, 35 candidates, including outgoing Premier Donaldson Romeo, who is contesting the election as an independent candidate, were nominated to contest the poll in the British Overseas Territory.

The electoral mission is expected to meet with key stakeholders, including officials, candidates, and members of the public as part of their fact-finding operation. The initial findings and recommendations will be published after the election.

 

 

PM warns against reconstructing Bahamas shantytowns

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC):

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis says his administration will not allow any foreigner “to live in any bush", insisting that he would enforce the migration policies of The Bahamas.

“We are not allowing individuals who just received work permits to just go and set up shantytowns or whatever. It’s inhumane and, therefore, you must show evidence or at least assure us that individuals will be living in comfortable environments,” Minnis said.

Last year, the government said it would demolish shantytowns throughout the country, a move that was seen as targeting Haitian nationals who had been establishing such settlements in the country.

A Supreme Court justice in August last year handed down an injunction blocking the demolition of shantytown structures, many destroyed by the passage of Hurricane Dorian when it swept through the archipelago in September this year.

Following the passage of the category 5 storm, the government issued an immediate six-month ban on the construction of new buildings in those shantytowns, and last month, Minnis announced that his administration intended to acquire shantytown property on Abaco through compulsory acquisition.

 

 

'Interim' candidate identified should Haitian president step down

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC):

Opposition political parties have agreed on an unnamed judge of the Court of Cassation to replace President Jovenel Moise in the event that the embattled head of state agrees to step down from office pending fresh presidential elections in the French-speaking Caribbean country.

But the Fanmi Lavalas political party, whose most prominent member is the former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, has expressed reservations and refused to sign the agreement that had been reached last Saturday.

The political and economic crisis in Haiti was triggered by the publication in January 2019 of a report on the Venezuela-funded PetroCaribe Oil initiative, under which Caracas provided oil and other petroleum products to Haiti under a preferential agreement.

Moise, who came to power in 2017, has denied any wrongdoing and has named former prime minister Evans Paul to head a team that would hold discussions with all stakeholders to discuss a way forward.