Henfield: ministry will open diplomatic channels for Haitian authorities
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A three-member commission of inquiry from Haiti has landed in New Providence to conduct an investigation into corruption concerns at the Haitian embassy in Nassau, Eyewitness News can confirm.
It remains unclear when the commission will begin its investigation, however.
Outside the Churchill Building, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield was asked whether the commission had begun its investigation.
He did not provide specifics, but the minister said Haitian Foreign Affairs Minister Bocchit Edmond advised that he simply wants to get to the bottom of the matter.
“Well, he wants to talk to persons from my ministry, who will open up diplomatic channels for him to speak with any other authorities in The Bahamas,” the minister told the media.
Henfield has said the government will facilitate and offer support to the Haitian government
Over the weekend, Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement, which was first published in The Tribune, that the probe was set to begin yesterday.
Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement pointed to a news report of an investigation carried out by Bahamian law enforcement into corruption involving what it said were Haitian diplomats in New Providence.
The article the ministry referred to was printed on July 25.
Last Wednesday, three Bahamians and two Haitians were arraigned in the magistrate’s court for charges related to an alleged fake marriage scheme.
The statement also noted that Haitian diplomats’ mandate is to portray a positive image of the country and act in a manner above reproach.