Contrary to various media outlets and statements made by Haiti representatives, Haiti will not be an AU Member state.
An act within the AU constitution being the base of why this is so. According to Article 29.1 of the AU’s Constitutive Act, only African States can join the African Union. A recently published press release from the African Union states that they rather, have a directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organisations (CIDO) from the African Union Commission.
Although Haiti will not be inaugurated as an AU member state, it doesn’t hamper the relations between AU and the Caribbean islands. The African Union has previously invited the Haiti’s President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to its past summits as special guests, further the AU had a high level delegation at the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
In a nutshell, engagements on strengthening bilateral agreements between CIDO and the AU are ongoing, with certain conclusions being implemented.
