Multi-stakeholder dialogue to preserve security and prosperity in the metropolitan area of Cap-Haïtien

Organized at the initiative of the Northern Haiti Destination Management Organization (OGDNH) and Asosyasyon Fanm Solèy Dayiti (AFASDA), with the support of the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), participants carefully examined the challenges that could compromise security achievements, as well as the assets and opportunities for development and prosperity in the Cap-Haïtien metropolitan area. Building on lessons from the experience of Port-au-Prince, they formulated concrete recommendations and preventive measures to strengthen the resilience of the area against threats to its stability and security.

The North Department remains today one of the few places in the country where the circulation of people and goods is still relatively smooth. Flights linking Haiti to other parts of the world are still authorized. However, threats remain that the stable and secure environment of this region could be weakened, as has happened in Port-au-Prince. It is precisely to prevent such a scenario that stakeholders —local authorities, police officials, civil society actors, and private sector representatives— mobilized.

Analysis of causes and lessons from insecurity in Port-au-Prince

The insecurity ravaging the Haitian capital and affecting all spheres of national life results from an “explosive triptych”: 1) manipulation by international mafia networks, 2) mafia-like and incompetent governance, and 3) the systematic destruction of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), accelerating pauperization, declared Colonel Himler Rébu during the day of reflection.

Relying on conclusions from a 2024 study on violence and insecurity in Port-au-Prince, IFOS Director General Ulrick Jean-Claude echoed this assessment, confirming that acts of violence, insecurity, and conflict in the capital are rooted in political, economic, social, and environmental causes.

Among the main political causes cited were: the instrumentalization of armed groups by political factions in their quest to seize or retain power, chronic political instability, the absence of public policies addressing basic population needs, as well as the irresponsibility of authorities fueling popular frustration. Jean-Claude also pointed to the persistent disconnection between leaders —elected or appointed— and citizens of all genders, a gap that continues to deepen and exacerbate social tensions.

On the economic side, Jean-Claude highlighted illegal or unfair competition, smuggling, and the reliance of some businesswomen and businessmen on armed groups to protect and defend their enterprises —and in some cases to intimidate or attack competitors. The trade embargo imposed on Haiti following the 1991 coup d’État, the squandering of public funds, especially those earmarked for post-earthquake reconstruction (2010) and Petrocaribe, along with the collaboration of economic actors with state powers and opposition forces to impose their own rules and control both political and economic power, are among the most significant economic factors, according to Jean-Claude.

“Violence and insecurity mainly emerge in urban peripheries, marked by chaotic urbanization, lack of public services, and precarious living conditions. Young women and men face deep feelings of abandonment, compounded by unemployment, poor-quality education, and uncertain futures. Left on their own, these communities become fertile ground for armed groups that impose their own order, providing services in exchange for power and control,” said Jean-Claude, noting that some of these factors are already visible in the Cap-Haïtien metropolitan area.

Pathways to solutions

To restore security, Himler Rébu called on authorities to place the well-being of citizens —women and men alike— at the center of their concerns. To achieve this, he explained that efforts must converge on actions promoting justice, employment, education, health, production, environmental protection, and culture. He emphasized several theoretical and doctrinal options on peripheral security and encouraged the establishment of the “CASEC house,” a state complex making all basic services available at the communal level, along with administrative complexes and community-scale village planning. At the departmental level, he advocated for the creation of a government seat, with a delegated minister attending the Council of Ministers every month.

For Kesner Pharel of Groupe Croissance, also a speaker at the forum, the solution to the security crisis lies in good governance. According to him, this means adopting appropriate programs and projects, reducing risks, managing scarce state resources optimally, and ensuring better wealth distribution. “Without good governance, there is no security. Without security, there is no prosperity,” he declared.

“The government can allocate a large budget to the police institution, but if principles of good governance are not respected, security will not be guaranteed,” added Kesner Pharel. Convinced that poor governance and insecurity inevitably lead to poverty, even extreme poverty, he urged the six communes of Cap-Haïtien’s metropolitan area to adopt inter-communal approaches, implementing coordinated urbanization and land-use plans and developing strategies to increase tax revenues.

The involvement of all actors

“It is impossible to talk about governance, security, or prosperity without involving local governments. They play an essential role in identifying problems and developing strategies to address them,” said Elicia Milfort, mayor of Milot. She expressed satisfaction with the event, which aimed to better understand current crises and respond with an integrated and flexible approach.

Particular emphasis was placed on the participation of women and youth in the forum, alongside local authorities, experts, and representatives of the private sector and civil society. “The participation of women in governance, security, and prosperity discussions can foster peace and harmonization among sectors,” said Marie Kistcha Mutchi Obas, Executive Director of the feminist organization Zantray Fanm Kreyòl.

“It is a mistake to believe security is exclusively a matter for the police or the army. Security is multidimensional and must be approached holistically,” said a police official present at the forum, stressing that the police are only one actor among many.

A collective initiative to preserve stability in the North

The July 11 dialogue was part of the Alliance for Inclusive and Accountable Governance in Haiti (AGIR), a proactive prevention effort. This initiative marks a shift toward a culture of dialogue and anticipation, where each actor —whether elected official, entrepreneur, citizen of any gender, or diaspora member— is called to play their role.

Funded by Quebec’s Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, AGIR is implemented by OGDNH, AFASDA, CECI, IEIM-UQAM, the Henry Christophe Campus of UEH in Limonade, and Maison d’Haïti in Quebec. It seeks to strengthen dialogue spaces, inclusive governance practices, and citizen engagement across the six communes of Cap-Haïtien’s metropolitan area.

Learn more about the AGIR / Pou Aji project