Elections in Haiti
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 16, 2014
As Haiti’s political leaders work to resolve the issue of delayed elections, the United States supports the right of the Haitian people to go to the polls to determine their future. Elections are essential for Haiti’s democratic development and for continued progress in post-earthquake reconstruction and development. We commend the work of Haiti's presidential advisory commission and welcome its recommendations as a basis to encourage consensus. We also commend President Martelly for his courageous efforts to resolve the deadlock and for his decision to accept the commission’s recommendations. Prime Minister Lamothe's announcement of his resignation is evidence of the Haitian executive branch’s commitment to resolve the situation. Haiti’s parliamentary and political leaders also have worked in earnest to maintain the integrity of Haiti’s democratic institutions. Recognizing the concessions made by all sides to resolve the impasse, the United States urges all parties to reach without delay a definitive agreement on all outstanding issues and to carry out that agreement in good faith. Too much progress has been made since the earthquake to risk going backwards now. The future of that progress is in the hands of Haiti’s leaders, and we urge them to negotiate a solution that will open the door for elections to be scheduled as soon as possible.
