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Former Haitian Prime Minister Claude Joseph has strongly criticized the leadership of current Prime Minister Garry Conille, marking Conille’s 100 days in office with sharp accusations of mismanagement. Joseph, now the president of the strategic council of the political party “Les Engagés pour le Développement” (EDE), voiced his concerns over rising insecurity, economic downturn, and a recent diplomatic dispute.
Speaking at a press conference, Joseph described the government’s performance as worsening Haiti’s already precarious situation. He emphasized the continued increase in poverty and violence under Conille’s leadership. “The Haitian population lives in fear and uncertainty, and this government does nothing to ease their suffering,” Joseph said, calling the celebration of Conille’s first 100 days in power “a provocation” against a population struggling to survive.
Economic and Security Failures
Joseph pointed to the country’s ongoing economic challenges, noting that Haiti has seen six consecutive years of negative growth. He expressed frustration with the government’s lack of action to address the deteriorating economy, which he believes should be a top priority. According to Joseph, the government’s failure to address these issues is exacerbating the hardships of everyday Haitians.
“The country’s economy is in ruins, and the administration seems indifferent to fixing it,” Joseph remarked, linking this economic stagnation to the broader issue of insecurity, which has left many citizens in constant fear for their safety.
Diplomatic Tensions and Allegations
In addition to his criticism of the economy and security, Joseph turned his attention to a diplomatic controversy involving Haiti’s representation at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. Joseph accused Prime Minister Conille’s office of misleading the U.S. State Department, leading to a misunderstanding over the participation of Edgard Leblanc Fils, the president of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), in the event. This, according to Joseph, strained relations between Haiti and its international partners.
Expanding on this issue, Joseph claimed that Conille sought to undermine the presidency by orchestrating a diplomatic failure, aiming to secure full control of Haiti’s delegation at the UN. Joseph believes this move signals a broader effort by Conille to consolidate power, drawing comparisons to the single-headed executive approach taken by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Joseph went so far as to accuse Conille of directing Haitian diplomatic missions in Washington and New York to block the CPT’s participation in the UN assembly, which he considers an affront to both the presidency and the nation.
Calls for Unity
Despite his strong criticisms, Joseph ended his remarks with a call for unity, urging political parties, civil society organizations, and other national stakeholders to work together to bring Haiti out of its current crisis. He emphasized that cooperation is key to overcoming the country’s economic and security challenges.
While Joseph remains a vocal opponent of Conille’s administration, he has been careful to avoid other controversies, including recent corruption allegations and potential rifts within the EDE party coalition.
