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Haiti’s political transition is at risk of being plunged into further instability following a controversial resolution signed on October 4, 2024, by five members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). The resolution, aimed at “unlocking” the council’s leadership succession, comes after a damning report from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) on October 2, which implicated three council members in corruption and bribery.
The current president of the CPT, Edgard Leblanc Fils, expressed concern over the council’s direction in a national address on October 6. He warned that the decision made by the majority of the CPT members could exacerbate the country’s political crisis and extend the transitional period. Leblanc Fils refused to sign the resolution, citing the need to uphold the integrity of the CPT and Haitian justice.
“I cannot accept participating in any action that would further weaken or devalue Haitian justice,” Leblanc Fils stated, according to news outlets. He emphasized the importance of unity, rule of law, and justice for rebuilding Haiti amid the ongoing crisis.
Internal divisions within the CPT
The resolution, signed by five of the seven voting members of the CPT, including Leslie Voltaire and Fritz Jean, shifts the leadership of the council as part of the rotational presidency system agreed upon in May 2024. Leslie Voltaire is expected to succeed Edgard Leblanc Fils as president on October 7, 2024.
However, the resolution is controversial due to the involvement of two signatories—Emmanuel Vertilaire and Louis Gérald Gilles—who are among the three CPT members implicated in the ULCC’s report on corruption. The report recommended legal action against Vertilaire, Gilles, and Smith Augustin, the latter of whom was initially slated to assume the presidency. Augustin also refused to sign the resolution, further deepening divisions within the council.
The ULCC report accused the three members of accepting bribes in exchange for political favors, sparking calls for their removal from the CPT. Yet, a consensus to exclude the implicated members has been elusive, with council members unable to agree on how to proceed, prolonging the political deadlock.
Leadership succession and potential solutions
Under the CPT’s rotational presidency system, the leadership rotates every five months. Leblanc Fils was expected to hand over the presidency to Smith Augustin, but given Augustin’s involvement in the corruption scandal, the council opted to pass the leadership to Voltaire. The handover ceremony is scheduled for October 7, 2024.
The decision has sparked criticism from several political sectors, with some arguing that members implicated in corruption should not have participated in such a critical decision. Others, however, argue that without a quorum of five members, no decisions can be made, making it impossible to exclude the accused council members.
There are discussions about reducing the quorum to four members to allow the council to function without the implicated members. However, the process of replacing them remains uncertain, with little clarity on whether their respective political sectors will support their removal.
Broader concerns for Haiti’s political future
The internal conflicts within the CPT come at a time when Haiti faces severe political, social, and security challenges. The country has seen a sharp rise in violence, with the United Nations reporting over 3,600 homicides in the first half of 2024, a 74% increase compared to 2023. Additionally, 703,000 people have been displaced due to armed conflict, and more than 5 million Haitians are in a state of food insecurity.
A recent massacre in the town of Pont Sondé on October 3, 2024, in which at least 70 people were killed by the Gran Grif gang, has further underscored the urgency of addressing the country’s security crisis. The deteriorating situation raises doubts about the CPT’s ability to navigate Haiti through the transition, as internal power struggles and corruption allegations continue to dominate its agenda.
Some political analysts have expressed concerns that the ongoing instability within the CPT may undermine efforts to stabilize the country. The political paralysis, compounded by widespread violence, raises questions about the ability of the transitional government to address the most pressing issues facing Haiti.
The path forward
As the CPT continues to deliberate over its internal conflicts, the resolution of these issues will be crucial for the success of Haiti’s transition. The divided nature of the council, coupled with the broader political instability, suggests that the country may face an extended period of uncertainty. The international community, along with Haitian civil society, continues to monitor the situation, urging a swift resolution to ensure that the transition can move forward and address the severe challenges facing the nation.
