Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has accused Haiti of violating Article 10 of the Treaty of Peace, Perpetual Friendship and Arbitration of 1929. This accusation is due to Haiti’s support for the construction of a canal to transfer water from the Masacre River without consulting the Dominican side.
In a recent statement, Dominican authorities state that Haiti has not officially communicated any technical information about the project to the Dominican government. They argue that the Haitian government had an obligation to share all project information, considering the associated risks of the canal.
The Dominican Republic emphasizes the importance of the border issue and President Luis Abinader’s commitment to preserving the border. The Dajabón River, which serves as the northern geographical border, is crucial from ecological and economic perspectives.
The statement highlights that diverting the river’s natural channel would deplete the Saladillo Lagoon’s water source, resulting in the loss of its rich biodiversity and international importance. It would also impact agricultural activities on both sides of the border.
Furthermore, the alteration of the river would cause floods and put the lives of Dajabón and Juana Méndez residents at risk. The Dominican government argues that the Haitian government’s failure to share information about the project clearly violates Article 10 of the 1929 treaty, which prohibits altering river currents or sources.
The statement emphasizes that the equitable use of the river by Haitian authorities should also involve protecting both states from potential harm. The Dominican government maintains that the immediate cessation of the unilateral construction of the transfer channel is the essential condition for reaching a solution in accordance with international law.