ANTIGUA and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, will lead a mission to Haiti in response to the looming constitutional crisis and its possible undesirable consequences.

The mission is at the request of the Haitian Ambassador to the OAS, Bocchit Edmond, and the organisation’s Secretary-General, Luis Almagro, after a request by Haitian President Michel Martelly which was agreed by the Permanent Council of the OAS on January 27 after lengthy discussion.

The request was made against the backdrop of the cancelling of the second round of presidential elections which were scheduled for December 27, and the looming constitutional void which will exist after February 7, when the current President of Haiti’s term will expire without a duly elected successor.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, said “my government is pleased to make Sir Ronald available to lead this mission for the OAS at a vital moment in Haiti’s history. He is a senior diplomat with wide experience and skills as well as compassion for Haiti.”

The mission will include Ambassador Leonidas Bautista Rosa, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the OAS and former Foreign Minister and Attorney General of his country; Gabriel Bidegain, Senior Political Advisor to the Secretary General; and Steven Griner, Acting Director of the OAS’ Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions.

The mission is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince early next week. Its broad mandate will be to “assess the situation in Haiti, including through dialogue with all appropriate parties”.

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