UN encourages Haitians to reach consensus on new government

The United Nations has encouraged all political actors in Haiti to search for a consensus amid the ongoing struggle between President Michel Martelly and Parliament over the confirmation of a new prime minister.

In a news release issued on Wednesday, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) took note of Parliament's decision to reject the choice of Bernard Gousse – the second time the legislative body has rejected the nomination of a prime minister designated by the President since his inauguration on 14 May.

“MINUSTAH is concerned about the absence of a government in Haiti for almost three months,” the mission stated. “This limits the State's ability to implement its programmes, to guide the reconstruction process, and to meet its responsibilities towards the people of Haiti.”

The country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, is still struggling to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and displaced 2.3 million others.

It is also currently bracing itself for what is likely to be the first of several storms of this year's hurricane season.

“MINUSTAH respectfully reminds all political players in the country of their responsibility to work in the best interests of the nation,” the mission said.

“As the hurricane season starts, MINUSTAH encourages all political actors to negotiate and search for a consensus which would lead to the good governance of Haiti,” it added.

MINUSTAH has been on the ground in Haiti since mid-2004 after then president Jean-Bertrand Aristide went into exile amid violent unrest.