THE WORLD’S first black republic, Haiti, has been divided from its’ island neighbour by a barbed wire wall.

The Dominican Republic has begun building a wall stretching approximately 122 miles along its border with Haiti to keep Haitians from walking across.

Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, said the wall aims to stop migration from Haiti and also prevent the smuggling of weapons and drugs into the country. 

He said the first phase of the development is expected to be completed within nine months. 

“The benefit for both nations will be of great importance,” Mr Abinader said. 

He added the border wall will also help fight organised crime in the two Caribbean countries.

The 20-centimetre-thick concrete wall will be topped by a metal mesh and will be 12.8 ft high. 

The structure is being built with high-spec technology and will also have cameras, movement sensors, radars and drones.

The project also includes the construction of 70 watchtowers and 41 access gates for patrolling.

According to the most recent immigration survey conducted in 2018, there are an estimated 500,000 Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, along with tens of thousands Haitian descendants.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the second largest island in the Caribbean. 

Despite being neighbours, the two Caribbean countries are very different culturally, socially and economically.

In the early 19^th century, Haiti became the world’s first Black republic and the first independent Caribbean nation after overthrowing French colonial control. 

The announcement of the new wall comes just a week before the Dominican Republic celebrate their independence anniversary from Haiti – which was granted on 27 February 1844. 

Haitian government officials are yet to respond to the news.