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  • Antigua wants TCN’s from Brazil, Colombia and CARICOM, except Haiti

    Antigua wants TCN’s from Brazil, Colombia and CARICOM, except Haiti

    On a recent public radio broadcast, details of a draft bilateral arrangement between the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States emerged, revealing strict nationality limitations that Antigua and Barbuda is pushing to include in the final agreement.

    Per the draft operating procedures made public on Saturday, the proposed framework would only permit the United States to put forward for transfer individuals holding nationality from Caribbean Community member states — with the explicit exception of Haiti — as well as citizens of Brazil and Colombia. Any individual from outside this pre-approved list of nationalities would only be eligible for consideration if Antigua and Barbuda grants formal written consent in advance.

    Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne walked through the revised draft during an appearance on Pointe FM’s *Browne and Browne Show*, where he clarified that his administration had modified the initial terms shared by Washington, and is now waiting for the U.S. side to respond. Browne emphasized that the nationality restrictions are Antigua and Barbuda’s counterproposal, not a finalized clause that has already been agreed to by U.S. negotiators.

    Beyond nationality rules, the draft lays out additional key parameters to govern the arrangement. Citizens and nationals of Antigua and Barbuda itself are completely excluded from any transfers covered by the deal. The same exclusion applies to individuals under the age of 18, and people with an established criminal record — the only exception to this criminal history rule is offenses related solely to violations of U.S. immigration law.

    Even for candidates that meet all nationality criteria, approval is not guaranteed. Every individual proposed for transfer must hold a valid passport, and have a confirmed, realistic, and fully legal pathway to either return to their country of origin or continue travel to a third destination. Antigua and Barbuda will retain full authority to approve or reject each proposed candidate via written approval before any individual is placed on a flight to the country.

    To cap the volume of transfers, the draft also sets a hard limit of seven total transfers across any three-month period, and explicitly states that the government of Antigua and Barbuda faces no requirement to accept a minimum number of transferees under the framework.

    During his radio remarks, Browne did not elaborate on why Brazil and Colombia were selected for inclusion on the eligible nationality list, nor did he explain the decision to explicitly exclude Haitian nationals from the eligible group. To date, no transfers have been announced under this revised draft framework, as negotiations between the two countries remain ongoing.

  • Jamaica at the United Nations: Melissa and the meaning of vulnerability

    Jamaica at the United Nations: Melissa and the meaning of vulnerability

    When Jamaica took the floor at the 81st United Nations General Assembly general debate this week, it carried a stark, urgent lesson for the global community: even nations that follow every rule, make hard choices, and build long-term resilience can lose decades of progress in a single catastrophic event. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith turned the country’s recent trauma from Hurricane Melissa into one of the most compelling arguments for small developing states heard during the week of global diplomacy.

    The destruction left by Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28, 2025, is almost unfathomable for a small open economy. Early assessments peg total damage and economic losses at 56.7% of Jamaica’s entire annual gross domestic product – more than half a year of national output erased in just a few hours of extreme weather. Johnson Smith emphasized that Jamaica had done everything in its power to prepare: years of deliberate fiscal discipline had built robust economic buffers, and the country had proactively invested in catastrophe insurance and catastrophe bonds that unlocked immediate liquidity for emergency response. Even with all this prudent planning, however, the Minister told the Assembly that no amount of national preparation can fully shield a small developing state from a climate disaster of this scale. One extreme weather event, she noted, can unravel decades of hard-won development, no matter how well a nation governs itself.

    This devastating experience forms the core of Jamaica’s central policy demand: a fundamental reworking of how the global community measures national vulnerability to climate and economic shocks. Per capita income alone, Johnson Smith argued, cannot capture the structural risks small island developing states face. Crossing an arbitrary income threshold does not make a country any less exposed to catastrophic hurricanes or other climate-driven disasters. Jamaica is once again pushing for global development and concessional finance eligibility to be guided by multidimensional vulnerability indices, and is calling for climate finance that is truly accessible, reasonably priced, and predictable for at-risk nations.

    The credibility of Jamaica’s case is strengthened by its own track record of strong governance before the storm. Before Hurricane Melissa hit, the country had cut its national debt from a high of more than 140% of GDP down to just 62%. Unemployment fell to a historic low of 3.4%, and even after the storm, it has only edged up to 3.7%. Credit rating agencies have retained or improved Jamaica’s ratings despite the massive disaster, a testament to the country’s stable economic fundamentals. Johnson Smith stressed that Jamaica is not asking for special treatment or to be let off the hook for its responsibilities – instead, it is demanding an international system that gives responsible, well-governed small states the support and policy space they need to recover and grow after climate shocks.

    Johnson Smith’s address also advanced the broader regional agenda of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with clear conviction. Jamaica joined regional partners in nominating Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana for the position of UN Secretary-General, framing small states as natural bridge builders whose global influence stems from their credibility, not their geographic or population size. On the ongoing crisis in Haiti, Jamaica called for sustained international support for the Haitian Gang Suppression Force, Haitian National Police, and national armed forces, urging the UN Security Council to renew the Force’s mandate at what Johnson Smith described as a critical crossroads for the country.

    On the issue of transnational organized crime, Johnson Smith echoed Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s call for a coordinated global campaign against gang activity, reminding major arms-exporting nations that illicit firearms flooding Caribbean communities do not originate locally. She pushed for stricter international export controls on small arms and mandatory post-delivery verification to crack down on illegal diversion. Domestically, Johnson Smith noted, Jamaica has already made major progress: the country recorded its lowest annual homicide count in more than three decades in 2025, and the Global Peace Index now ranks Jamaica as the most peaceful nation in the Caribbean.

    On the long-running campaign for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, the Minister confirmed that the historic petition delivered to Buckingham Palace has now been referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. She also confirmed Jamaica’s support for the UN General Assembly resolution introduced by Ghana in March 2025. Johnson Smith defined reparatory justice as encompassing six core pillars: truth, acknowledgement, repair, compensation, development, and reconciliation. Notably, she framed Jamaica’s claim around its own individual petition rather than referencing CARICOM’s established Ten-Point Plan, marking a distinct approach for the country’s advocacy.

    On the topic of US-Cuba relations and the decades-long trade embargo, Johnson Smith struck a carefully balanced tone: the delegation expressed clear concern for the hardship faced by the Cuban people, encouraged ongoing domestic reform efforts on the island, and called for diplomatic engagement rather than continued isolation under the blockade.

    Sixty-four years after Jamaica gained independence and raised its black, green and gold flag, the country has delivered one of the most actionable and evidence-backed arguments for the upcoming global debate on climate and development finance. As the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa makes clear, vulnerability for small island states is structural, not a consequence of low national income. The next critical step is turning this powerful case made from the UNGA rostrum into tangible change to the international eligibility rules that shape access to critical finance for at-risk nations.

  • Foundation old scholars award two scholarships

    Foundation old scholars award two scholarships

    During this year’s Foundation Week celebrations at Christ Church Foundation School, two outstanding current students have been honored with new scholarships from the Foundation School Old Scholars Scholarship Fund (FSOSSF), a giving initiative that has sustained a decade-long legacy of alumni investing in the next generation of school graduates.

    Nikhyl Burnett and Makiah Gaillard accepted their awards at a ceremony held in the school’s assembly hall, capping off this year’s round of distributions from the endowment. As the FSOSSF chairperson Laura-Lynn Lawrence shared, the fund has poured roughly $210,000 into student support over the past 10 years, having awarded 24 scholarships prior to this year’s ceremony. With the addition of Burnett and Gaillard’s awards, the total number of scholarships granted by the alumni fund climbs to 26, with total disbursements now totaling $231,000.

    For the FSOSSF leadership, this scholarship is far more than just one-time financial aid. Lawrence emphasized the deeper meaning behind the awards during her remarks at the ceremony. “This scholarship is a message to all students that we see you. We recognise your hard work, and we believe in your potential,” she said. The primary goal of the funding is to ease the financial burdens that often derail talented young students as they work toward their academic and professional goals, while also planting a seed of pay-it-forward generosity that will encourage recipients to support future students once they themselves have graduated.

    “We hope that this support will ease some financial pressures that can sometimes stand between a young person and their dreams,” Lawrence explained. “But most importantly, we hope it inspires our awardees to continue striving for excellence and one day to give back to the school.”

    Established in August 2014 and officially registered as a charitable organization under the national Charities Act in February 2015, FSOSSF offers targeted support to specific groups of continuing students from Christ Church Foundation School. Eligible recipients include students pursuing three-year degree programs in Science, Technology, and Accounting at the University of the West Indies, as well as students enrolled in the four-year Nursing degree program at Barbados Community College. To qualify for an award, candidates must demonstrate a record of strong academic performance, active contribution to school community life, and verified financial need. Recipients may renew their funding each year for the duration of their program, provided they maintain a minimum acceptable grade point average.

    Christ Church Foundation School Principal Shawn Forde framed the scholarship awards as a core part of the Foundation Week celebration, highlighting the enduring commitment of alumni to the school’s current student body. “This week represents the tremendous dedication, effort, consistency, and resilience of the old scholars of this school and you, the present,” he noted. Forde also emphasized that the program offers ongoing support rather than a one-time gift, with annual funding available for as long as recipients meet the academic requirements. “Not only a one-time support, the support is each and every year once they continue to keep their grades up,” he said, encouraging current students to value the merit-based nature of the opportunity: “When you are getting something that you have worked hard for, you can push up your chest and say, ‘Yes, that is all me.’”

    The ceremony also featured remarks from Dr. Tori Stuart, a 2019 scholarship recipient who has since completed medical school and returned to her alma mater to present this year’s awards. Stuart reflected on how the scholarship supported her own educational journey, noting that when she received the award, she was just starting the demanding work of medical training. She echoed the sentiment that the value of the scholarship extends far beyond the financial assistance. “The scholarship provided valuable financial assistance, but beyond that, it gave me something equally important: the reassurance that people believed in me and my potential,” she said. That vote of confidence stayed with her through the five years of medical school, motivating her to push through challenging moments. Addressing the current student body, Stuart urged attendees to seize every available opportunity and stay focused on their long-term goals: “There will be difficult moments and times where you may doubt yourself, but remember that your circumstances do not define your potential. Stay committed, work hard, remain humble, and never be afraid to dream beyond what you think is possible.”

    Lawrence closed the ceremony with words of encouragement for this year’s recipients, echoing Stuart’s message of perseverance. “We encourage Makiah and Nikhyl… to make the most of this opportunity by continuing to work hard, remaining humble, and never underestimate what you’re capable of achieving,” she said. “You could be standing here in the years to come. Always remember you have a choice. Either to settle for what is easy or to challenge yourself to become better.”

  • Zwaar noodweer treft delen van Azië: tientallen doden door overstromingen en aardverschuivingen

    Zwaar noodweer treft delen van Azië: tientallen doden door overstromingen en aardverschuivingen

    A devastating spell of extreme heavy monsoon rainfall has triggered widespread flooding, catastrophic landslides and mass evacuations across large swathes of South and Southeast Asia, leaving at least 68 people confirmed dead and seven more missing across India, Nepal and Thailand as of late September.

    In India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, 56 people have lost their lives to flood and landslide-related incidents since Friday, according to local disaster management officials. Between Friday and Sunday morning alone, the region recorded 66.5 millimeters of rainfall – nearly nine times the 7.6 millimeter seasonal average for the same period. The record downpour, amplified by a low-pressure system moving inland from the Bay of Bengal, damaged more than 1,000 residential structures and left another 46 people injured.

    Flood risks are escalating across other parts of India as well. In the eastern coastal state of Odisha, more than 70,000 residents have been evacuated from low-lying flood-prone areas and relocated to hundreds of temporary emergency shelters. Multiple major rivers across northern Odisha have already surged past dangerous warning levels, prompting state officials to increase controlled outflow from the major Hirakud Dam in preparation for further rising water levels in the Mahanadi river system. India’s Central Water Commission has confirmed that dozens of monitoring stations across multiple states, including along the iconic Ganges, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati and Narmada rivers, are recording water levels above critical danger thresholds.

    To the north of India, Nepal is facing a second devastating weather event just weeks after a catastrophic glacial lake outburst flood that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands more missing in late August. Since September 24, the country has recorded 12 flood and landslide-related deaths, with seven additional residents still unaccounted for. More than 1,100 people have already been evacuated from at-risk areas. Across the country, hundreds of properties have been destroyed: in Parbat District, the swollen Kaligandaki River has washed away an estimated 80 homes, while nearly 1,000 residents in Butwal were forced to flee after the Tinau River rose above warning levels.

    Nepal’s national disaster management authorities have issued urgent warnings that the situation remains extremely volatile, with rivers and tributaries continuing to rise rapidly across most regions, and new downpours expected to trigger additional sudden landslides. Unlike the August disaster, the current flooding is driven by extreme rainfall, not glacial activity, but it is hitting many communities that are still in the early stages of recovering from the previous catastrophe.

    Further south, Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok is facing its worst urban flooding in years, after days of near-continuous heavy rainfall left most of the capital submerged. All 50 of Bangkok’s districts have now been formally declared disaster zones, with some areas recording between 300 and 320 millimeters of rain over just two to three days. Canal-side neighborhoods have been hit hardest, as the city’s water network has reached full capacity. On Sunday, multiple major arterial roads remained submerged, with floodwaters reaching hip height in some residential neighborhoods. An estimated tens of thousands of households have been impacted, with thousands of residents relocated to emergency evacuation centers.

    While rainfall has temporarily eased, allowing for minor improvements in some areas, most canals remain at dangerously high levels and many roads are still impassable. Thailand’s Meteorological Department has warned that additional heavy to extreme rainfall remains likely across the region. In response, the Thai government has declared a special public holiday for all civil servants in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces for Monday and Tuesday, while all schools in the capital will remain closed to keep residents out of harm’s way. The current extreme rainfall in Thailand is being driven by an active low-pressure system interacting with a strengthened southwest monsoon, forecasters said.

    Though the three countries are facing separate flood events, they are all experiencing the same dangerous weather pattern: unprecedented heavy rainfall, rapidly rising river levels, and an elevated risk of sudden flash floods and landslides. The impacts vary by region: India and Nepal have faced the highest human death toll, while Bangkok is grappling with widespread urban disruption to housing, transport and public services.

    Rescue teams, military personnel and local aid groups have already been deployed across all affected regions to support response efforts. In Odisha, additional rescue teams have been mobilized to support evacuations and emergency response. In Nepal, authorities are prioritizing evacuations, clearing landslide-blocked roads and repairing damaged critical infrastructure. In Bangkok, more than 200 emergency shelters have been set up, with officials advising residents in low-lying canal-side areas to move valuables to higher ground and avoid all non-essential travel.

    Forecasters warn that the overall trajectory of the crisis remains uncertain. If rainfall eases in the hardest-hit regions, water levels are expected to gradually recede. But any new heavy downpours would likely worsen the crisis, particularly in areas where rivers and canals are already operating at or above full capacity.

  • Haiti and Angola strengthen their cooperation

    Haiti and Angola strengthen their cooperation

    Side events of the 81st United Nations General Assembly have brought a landmark step forward in diplomatic relations between Haiti and Angola, with the two nations’ top foreign affairs leaders signing two binding memoranda of understanding designed to strengthen and broaden collaborative work between the Caribbean and African states.

    The first of the two agreements formalizes a framework for consistent, recurring political consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries. This structured mechanism will create regular space for the two governments to deepen dialogue on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues that align with their shared interests, while also reinforcing coordinated action when they collaborate across multilateral bodies and international forums.

    The second memorandum focuses on diplomatic capacity building, establishing a formal partnership between Haiti’s Jean Price-Mars Diplomatic Academy and Angola’s Venâncio Moura Diplomatic Academy. The partnership targets joint initiatives for the training and professional advancement of early-career and senior diplomats, facilitates cross-border exchanges of policy experts, academic researchers, and diplomatic studies students, and creates a platform for sharing institutional knowledge and practical experiences in the fields of diplomacy and international relations.

    Talks are already underway for a third cooperation agreement between the two nations, a development that underscores the mutual commitment of both governments to continue expanding the scope of their collaborative partnership beyond the initial agreements signed this week.

    For Haiti, the new agreements align with a broader diplomatic strategy laid out by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, which prioritizes strengthening existing connections with African partner nations and building new, forward-looking partnerships rooted in core principles of cooperation, cross-national solidarity, and reciprocal, mutually beneficial interests.

    According to Haitian officials, Minister of Foreign Affairs Raina Forbin’s work to advance this closer relationship with Angola is a key part of Haiti’s ongoing effort to expand its global diplomatic network. Under Forbin’s leadership, Haiti is pursuing an active, outward-facing diplomatic agenda that is open to exploring collaboration in new sectors, all with the core goal of advancing the national interests of Haiti and improving outcomes for the Haitian people.

  • U.S. Deportees Would Receive Temporary Status Under Antigua’s Proposal

    U.S. Deportees Would Receive Temporary Status Under Antigua’s Proposal

    A new policy proposal from the government of Antigua and Barbuda has outlined tight, specific conditions under which third-country nationals transferred from U.S. custody would be allowed into the Caribbean nation, strictly limiting their stay to a temporary, transitional status rather than offering permanent relocation. The full text of the draft procedures was publicly shared Saturday during an interview on the *Browne and Browne Show* broadcast on local radio outlet Pointe FM, clarifying the small island nation’s core position on the emerging bilateral agreement with Washington.\n\nPrime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized that the central priority of the proposed framework is to put binding safeguards in place that prevent Antigua and Barbuda from being left with long-term responsibility for migrants who are unable to depart the country after their initial transfer. Under the terms of the draft, all transfers would be processed through V.C. Bird International Airport, the country’s main international gateway. At the airport, personnel from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would hand over custody of transferred individuals to Antigua and Barbuda’s national immigration authorities. Critically, every person scheduled for transfer must receive formal written approval from the Antigua and Barbuda government before they are permitted to board a flight bound for the country.\n\nThe draft confirms that all admissions of transferred migrants will be carried out in full compliance with Antigua and Barbuda’s existing domestic legislation. Ahead of any first transfer, the government will formally codify the specific duration and additional conditions of the temporary admission status. Importantly, the act of being transferred to Antigua and Barbuda does not automatically grant an individual permanent residence, citizenship, formal refugee status, or authorization to seek employment within the country. The draft does not, however, prohibit transferred people from applying for asylum or other long-term legal status after their arrival; all such requests will be reviewed in accordance with both Antigua and Barbuda’s national laws and the country’s binding international treaty obligations.\n\nA key requirement laid out in the proposal mandates that the United States provide both logistical and financial support for all voluntary returns of migrants to their home countries, as well as for any legal onward travel to a third destination. In cases where a migrant is required to leave Antigua and Barbuda but cannot safely or legally return to their country of origin or nationality, the draft requires the U.S. to lead efforts to identify an alternative lawful destination that is acceptable to the Antigua and Barbuda government. Washington would also be required to continue covering all agreed-upon financial and logistical support until a permanent resolution is secured for the individual.\n\nBrowne confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda has already submitted its revised draft terms to U.S. officials for review. As of the latest update, the temporary admission arrangement remains a non-binding proposal, and no timeline or details for an initial transfer have been publicly announced by either government.

  • No Passport, No Transfer: Antigua Sets Conditions for U.S. Deportees

    No Passport, No Transfer: Antigua Sets Conditions for U.S. Deportees

    The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has outlined strict new draft requirements that the small Caribbean nation is demanding before accepting any transfers of third-country nationals from the United States. Browne laid out the proposed operating procedures during an interview Saturday on the *Browne and Browne Show* broadcast on local outlet Pointe FM, making clear that the terms remain under active negotiation with U.S. authorities in Washington and have not yet been finalized by both parties.

    At the core of the proposed framework is a non-negotiable rule: every individual transferred must hold a valid, unexpired passport issued by their country of origin. Beyond that basic document requirement, Antigua and Barbuda’s government must also confirm that the person in question has a guaranteed, legal right to enter either their home country or another pre-approved onward destination before any transfer can be approved.

    Under the draft rules, U.S. officials would be required to submit a copy of each individual’s passport alongside formal documentation proving that the intended onward destination will grant the person entry. This submission must also disclose any existing legal, diplomatic, or practical barriers that could block the person from completing their onward travel after their temporary stay in Antigua and Barbuda.

    Browne emphasized that these safeguards were designed explicitly to avoid a scenario where Antigua and Barbuda becomes a permanent holding spot for people unable to leave the country after transfer. “We’re not accepting anyone without a travel document, because if they don’t have a travel document, then clearly we’ll be stuck with them,” he explained in the interview.

    A valid passport alone is not enough to secure approval for transfer, under the draft proposal. Each individual transfer requires explicit written approval from Antigua and Barbuda’s government before the movement can take place. The framework also places a hard cap on transfer volumes: no more than seven people may be transferred to the nation in any three-month period, and the government retains the right to accept fewer than that limit if it chooses.

    To date, Browne confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda has revised an initial draft proposal put forward by the United States and submitted its amended terms back to Washington for review. As of the announcement, the passport requirement and onward travel conditions have not been formalized into a mutually agreed bilateral agreement.

  • Security : Congratulations to the forces involved and requests from the city of Kenscoff

    Security : Congratulations to the forces involved and requests from the city of Kenscoff

    On September 27, 2026, local officials in Haiti’s mountain municipality of Kenscoff have publicly celebrated progress in recent anti-criminal security operations, while issuing a coordinated set of urgent requests to national government institutions to lock in hard-won security gains and support the return of displaced residents.

    In an official statement, the Kenscoff City Hall extended profound gratitude and formal recognition to the Haitian National Police (PNH) for their relentless efforts to oust armed groups and retake control of multiple local territories. The municipal body highlighted the extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment of frontline police officers, who carry out their life-threatening missions under exceptionally harsh conditions, enduring significant personal sacrifices to restore safety for local communities. Kenscoff officials also praised the work of law-abiding local volunteers who have joined the collective security effort, and commended the resilience and patience of Kenscoff residents who have weathered the ongoing security crisis.

    Despite the milestone of retaking contested areas, municipal leaders emphasized that territorial recapture is only the initial phase of securing the municipality. Long-term stability, sustained safety, and the gradual restoration of normal living conditions for residents depend on coordinated, sustained action from every branch of the Haitian national government, officials said.

    To address this gap, the mayor of Kenscoff has outlined targeted requests for six different national bodies. To the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN), the municipality asks for the development of a formal cross-institutional consolidation plan for recaptured areas, increased operational resources for deployed security forces, improved coordination between the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) and other relevant agencies to eliminate post-recapture security vacuums, and the creation of a regular monitoring mechanism to track evolving security conditions in liberated zones.

    For the General Directorate of the PNH, the mayor requests sustained permanent police deployment in retaken areas (based on operational needs), increased patrols and surveillance in high-risk zones, secured access to main roads leading into recaptured sectors, continued offensive operations to solidify gains, and regular information sharing with local authorities to keep the public updated on security developments, consistent with operational confidentiality requirements.

    For the Armed Forces of Haiti, the mayor asks for operational support to consolidate and secure recaptured areas in line with national legal frameworks and government directives, increased troop presence in high-priority sectors, close coordination with the PNH to prevent armed groups from reoccupying liberated territories, and participation in cross-institutional territorial security planning mechanisms.

    The Ministry of Public Works has been called on to prioritize urgent repairs for strategic Kenscoff roads, many of which are currently in such poor condition that they impede the movement of security forces. Requests to the ministry include an urgent technical assessment of priority routes, immediate rehabilitation, clearing and infrastructure upgrades, identification of road obstacles that block or slow the passage of armored security vehicles, and collaboration with the mayor’s office and security leadership to finalize a list of priority routes for intervention.

    For the Ministry of the Interior, Kenscoff officials request institutional support for municipal consolidation efforts, facilitation of coordination between the local government and national state bodies, support to meet urgent essential service needs in newly secured areas, and backing for the process that will allow displaced residents to gradually return to their homes once security conditions are deemed safe.

    Finally, the mayor’s office is calling on the Prime Minister’s Office and the full Haitian government to establish a dedicated special inter-institutional task force for Kenscoff, mobilize critical financial, logistical and material resources to support post-recapture efforts, coordinate interventions across all relevant national agencies, and accelerate work to restore public services and critical infrastructure in secured zones.

    In an appeal to local residents, the Kenscoff City Hall urged the public to maintain caution, follow all instructions issued by security forces during ongoing operations, avoid entering areas still active combat zones, and refrain from resuming economic and daily activities in sensitive areas until formal authorization is granted by relevant authorities. Municipal leaders reiterated that while strengthening community security is a collective responsibility, formal security operations remain the exclusive mandate of legally authorized state forces.

    Kenscoff officials framed the current wave of successful operations as a critical turning point for the municipality. They encouraged security forces to maintain their momentum, and called on all national institutions to work together to turn recaptured territories into permanently safe, accessible and progressively rehabilitated communities for returning residents. Leaders stressed that the fight for Kenscoff’s security does not end with territorial recapture – the next, equally critical phase is consolidation, permanent security, and rebuilding the conditions for residents to come home.

  • Elections : Statistics on the electoral process (daily data)

    Elections : Statistics on the electoral process (daily data)

    As Haiti prepares for its upcoming general elections, new daily data published by the nation’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) on September 27, 2026, offers a comprehensive snapshot of candidate registration trends, highlighting persistent demographic disparities and incomplete compliance with national gender representation rules.

    Breaking down the distribution of candidates across all elected positions, legislative seats draw the largest pool of contenders by a wide margin. A total of 580 candidates have registered to run for Member of Parliament, while 195 are seeking Senate seats. For local government offices, 274 candidates are vying for CASEC positions, 260 have put their names forward for mayor, and 160 are running for ASEC seats. At the top of the ticket, the presidential race remains a compact contest, with only 10 candidates formally registered to date, all of whom are men representing different Haitian political parties.

    An analysis of the demographic breakdown of all candidates reveals a stark overrepresentation of middle-aged men across all races. Nearly 85% of all contenders fall between the ages of 31 and 60: the 31–45 age bracket accounts for 42.5% of all candidates, followed closely by the 46–60 group at 42.1%. Young candidates aged 18 to 30 make up just 5.3% of the total, while candidates 60 and older represent 10.1%. In terms of gender, men hold an overwhelming 79% of all registered candidacies, leaving women with just a 21% share overall.

    Geographically, candidate numbers and female participation vary dramatically across Haiti’s departments. The Southeast department has the highest total number of candidates at 282, followed by the South with 243 and the West with 169. Female candidate shares also shift sharply by region: the Southeast leads with 27.7% women candidates, while the share drops to 15.6% in Artibonite, 15.1% in the Northeast, and hits a low of just 13.9% in Grand’Anse.

    These figures also show that Haiti has not met its constitutional mandate requiring a minimum 30% female candidate quota, outlined in Article 17.1 of the national constitution. The shortfall is most acute in national-level races: there are no women candidates in the 10-person presidential field, women make up just 6.7% of all Chamber of Deputies candidates, and only 13.8% of Senate candidates. By contrast, local and territorial offices exceed the 30% requirement: 33.5% of mayoral candidates, 33.6% of CASEC candidates, and 41.3% of ASEC candidates are women.

    Tracking the timeline of registration activity, daily volumes held steady between September 21 and 25, with an average of 80 to 100 new applications submitted each day. A slight dip to 59 registrations was recorded on September 26, followed by zero new applications on September 27, a sign that the candidate registration window is set to close imminently.

    One high-profile candidacy remains unresolved as of the latest data update: former leader Michel Martelly, who registered online on September 22 under the DEBLOKE party banner, has not yet received final approval from the CEP. The CEP confirmed that Martelly’s application is currently undergoing in-depth legal review, noting that online registration alone does not equal final validation. All candidate applications are being assessed for compliance with physical and legal documentation requirements, the council added.

    The electoral body is on schedule to release its preliminary list of approved candidates on September 29, 2026, with the final official list of qualifying candidates set for publication on October 14. It is at that time that a final decision on Martelly’s candidacy and all other pending applications will be announced.

  • COMMENTARY: Dear Trevor – Africa is calling – On influence, conscience and the courage to speak (Part II)

    COMMENTARY: Dear Trevor – Africa is calling – On influence, conscience and the courage to speak (Part II)

    Every public figure eventually confronts an unnegotiable truth: influence does not come free. For every amplification of voice, every reach of fame that crosses borders, there is an unspoken invoice attached: responsibility. For most people across the globe, the dream is simply to be heard. A tiny, lucky cohort achieve far more than that: their words resonate across continents, their quips spark global conversations, their perspectives shape front-page headlines, and their personal narratives rewire how millions of people see the world. Trevor Noah, you are part of that rare group.

    Long before Hollywood opened its doors to your talent and your decade leading *The Daily Show* turned you into a household name across North America and beyond, the many fans who have followed your work have always valued something deeper than your celebrity. We have always admired your rare gift: turning sharp humor into incisive insight, simplifying complex, messy global issues without reducing them to meaningless triviality. You make audiences laugh, but you also push them to think. You have proven again and again that wit and wisdom do not have to be mutually exclusive. That is why this open letter is being written to you today.

    This is not a letter to a comedian, nor is it a letter to a prominent South African expat. It is a letter to one of the most influential African voices on the global stage, a person whose words carry unmatched credibility with millions across the world. There comes a defining moment for every influential person when they must answer a question that no one else can answer for them: What is your voice for? Is it only to entertain, educate, or provoke? Or will you step forward when history calls to bear witness to injustice? Today, you have reached that crossroads.

    South Africa, the nation that inspired the world by dismantling the apartheid regime, is once again grappling with a devastating, contradictory crisis: organized xenophobic violence targeting fellow African migrants. Across the country, migrant communities live in constant fear of intimidation, their businesses are looted and attacked, and entire neighborhoods are gripped by terror. The root causes of this unrest are well-documented: crippling mass unemployment, deep structural inequality, stretched public services, weak border management, and widespread public frustration that has boiled over.

    These problems are not imaginary, and no honest observer would dismiss the very real struggles facing ordinary South Africans. It is entirely legitimate — in fact, it is the responsibility of any sovereign government — to enforce national immigration laws; a country that cannot regulate who enters and stays within its borders cannot claim meaningful sovereignty, and South Africa is no different from any other nation in that right. But there is another equally non-negotiable truth that must be stated clearly: no immigration policy on Earth justifies mob violence. No constitutional democracy allows ordinary citizens to take power into their own hands, to decide who belongs in the country, who must be expelled, and whose property can be stolen. When the rule of law cedes to mob rule, every person in the country becomes vulnerable. That is why this moment demands more than just political commentary. It demands unflinching moral clarity.

    For years, you have helped the world understand the United States. You explained the complexities of American race relations to audiences who had never experienced systemic racism firsthand. You broke down the chaos of the Donald Trump presidency for global audiences alternately amused and horrified by his term in office. You have spoken thoughtfully and gracefully on police violence, democratic backsliding, elections, identity, prejudice, and power, and millions have listened because you have built up a reputation as a trusted, credible voice.

    Credibility is one of the most precious forms of public capital a person can build. It cannot be bought, unlike fame. It cannot be manufactured out of thin air, like celebrity. It is earned slowly, one thoughtful, honest conversation at a time. By any metric, you have earned that credibility. And that credibility now brings an unavoidable, if uncomfortable, obligation: Africa needs your voice on this crisis. Your opinion will not fix the problem overnight, but silence from trusted, respected voices leaves space for extreme, unthinking voices to dominate the public conversation.

    History has repeatedly shown that public discourse abhors a vacuum. When reasonable people hold back, unreasonable voices rush in to fill the space. When thoughtful people stay silent, louder, more extreme factions gain influence by default. Silence is not neutral. Silence shifts power to the most extreme actors in any debate.

    After Nelson Mandela, the two most globally recognizable South Africans are both based in the United States: Elon Musk and Trevor Noah. The contrast between the two could not be more stark. One is the world’s richest entrepreneur, the other one of the most gifted storytellers of our generation. One shapes the future of global technology, the other shapes how we talk about the most pressing issues of our time. One moves global markets, the other changes how millions of people think. One accumulated unprecedented personal wealth, the other accumulated unprecedented public trust. Money shifts individual behavior, but stories can change entire civilizations.

    Musk has never hidden where he stands on issues from immigration to free speech to global politics. Whether you agree with his positions or oppose them, no one can question what he believes. He has chosen his causes openly, and history and those affected by his work will judge him accordingly — but no one can accuse him of ambiguity.

    Your influence is very different, Trevor. It is built less on raw power and more on the affection that millions of people around the world have for you. People do not just listen to what you say — they like you. That is an even more powerful tool. Affection breaks down people’s defenses, humor opens closed minds, and trust makes it possible to have conversations about topics that would otherwise be too divisive. That is why your silence on this crisis carries so much weight. It is not that silence is always wrong, but when you have the ability to elevate a difficult conversation, abandoning that conversation has consequences.

    Let me be clear: I am not asking you to defend illegal immigration. I am not asking you to condemn all South Africans. I am not even asking you to choose between your home country and your continent. I am asking for something simpler, and far more demanding: defend the basic principles of a civilized society.

    I am asking you to defend the principle that governments are tasked with enforcing laws, and citizens are bound to obey them. Defend the idea that no matter how understandable public frustration is, it never justifies collective violence against vulnerable, defenseless people. Defend the belief that no African should fear another African simply because they crossed an invisible line drawn on a map.

    This is not a political issue. It is an issue of conscience. Every generation inherits unfinished work from the ones that came before it. Nelson Mandela’s generation dismantled apartheid. Your generation must defend something just as fundamental: the idea that African solidarity is more than just empty speeches delivered once a year on Africa Day. You and other influential African voices must prove that Pan-Africanism is measured not by slogans, but by how we treat each other when times are hard, that our shared humanity must survive even the worst economic anxiety.

    There are moments when comedians have to stop telling jokes. There are moments when storytellers have to become witnesses to history. There are moments when public figures realize that history is no longer asking whether they are entertaining — it is asking whether they will show up.

    Africa has celebrated your success. It has cheered your talent. It has defended your right to speak truth to power. Now, Africa is asking something of you in return. Help us speak truth to ourselves. The hardest conversations we ever have are not with our enemies — they are with our own people.

    At the end of the day, the question is not whether you agree with every government policy or every public protest. It is whether you believe that organized violence against fellow African migrants has reached a point serious enough to demand a response from one of Africa’s clearest, most trusted voices. I hope you will step forward. Not because the world needs to know where Trevor Noah stands — but because Africa deserves to hear from you.

    This article is written by Anthony Kila, Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development at the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), and author of *Crucial Cs Around D: The Disciplines of Decision-Making and Leadership*. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Dominica News Online.