JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 13 (UPI) -- South African officials agreed Thursday to harbor deposed Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Cabinet spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said the South African government received a formal request from the Caribbean Community, or Caricom, "to accommodate President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti in our country," the online edition of the Mail and Guardian newspaper reported.
"The South African government has acceded to this request and the decision will be formally conveyed to the African Union, Caricom and Aristide," said Netshitenzhe.
"This arrangement will be a temporary one, until the situation in Haiti has stabilized to the extent that it would be possible for him and his family to return."
Aristide is thought to be planning a return to Haiti after elections are held next year. He is currently residing in Jamaica where he has been since March. Before that he spent a short time in the Central African Republic.
The ex-Haitian president left the embattled Caribbean nation on Feb. 29 amid increasing pressure from armed rebel groups and nations like the United States and France. Aristide claims he was "duped" into leaving by U.S. officials in Haiti, an accusation that Washington denies.
