Hti: Quo vadis, Aristide?

South Africa has agreed to give former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide a temporary home nearly three months after an armed revolt forced him to flee his poor Caribbean country, the Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS) confirmed on Thursday.

This followed a day-long Cabinet lekgotla (meeting) on Wednesday to discuss this and other issues.

GCIS spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said the arrangement will be a temporary one until the situation in Haiti has stabilised to the extent that it will be possible for Aristide and his family to return.

On Monday an official request to offer Aristide a place to stay until his situation has "normalised' was received. The African Union made the request after it was approached by the Caribbean Economic Community (Caricom).

In a media briefing in Pretoria, Netshitenzhe said South Africa has agreed to take responsibility for Aristide's residence and upkeep.
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The South African government believes it is not correct that any country, no matter how powerful, should unilaterally seek to remove governments from power, especially democratically elected governments, he said.

South Africa seeks to create an environment that will contribute towards the return of peace and security to Haiti.

"While he is here he will contribute either directly or indirectly with the United Nations to ensure that peace and stability is returned in Haiti," said Netshitenzhe.
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The main opposition Democratic Alliance has spoken out against allowing Aristide into South Africa, arguing that his democratic credentials are in doubt and that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to support him.

It also said that France and the US should take him if they forced him to step down.

"The governments that are responsible for removing him from power should take responsibility for looking after him in exile. France and the US were very prominent in this regard; why not send him to Paris?" said Douglas Gibson, foreign affairs spokesperson for the party. -- Sapa