Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly and Benin President Boni Yayi

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti President Michel Martelly’s visit to the La Francophonie summit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this weekend included talks with the leaders of Benin and Cote D’Ivoire.

Martelly’s visit with Boni Yayi, who has served as President of Benin since 2006, discussed potential areas of joint cooperation between Benin and Haiti, and the situation of Haitian students studying in the country.

Yayi said Benin was “with Haiti,” and that “anything that strikes Haiti also strikes Benin.” He also said Benin was considering a summit to define the terms of cooperation aimed at helping Haiti with development policy.

Martelly also spoke with Senegalese President Macky Sall, also discussing Haitian students in that country. Sall promised to visit Haiti before the end of his term. He took office in April.

A meeting with Cote D’Ivoire President Alasanne Ouattara covered areas including Haiti’s relationship with Africa and its Supreme Court.

Ouattara had previously worked with Haiti while serving with the International Monetary Fund, Martelly’s office said.

Cote D’Ivoire, a major cocoa producer, is also reportedly considering a framework agreement with Haiti in the areas of energy and agriculture.