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Leslie Voltaire will take over as president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) on Monday, October 7, 2024, following a planned leadership rotation. He replaces Edgar Leblanc Fils, the outgoing president. The transition marks a significant step in the rotating presidency system agreed upon by the council members when the CPT was formed.
Originally, Smith Augustin, a representative of the political party RED/EDE, was set to assume the presidency. However, recent allegations of corruption against Augustin and two other CPT members led to a change in the leadership plan. A report by Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) implicated Augustin in soliciting funds for a re-election bid, accusations that Augustin has denied as false and defamatory.
According to a report by Le Nouvelliste, five of the seven voting council members signed a resolution changing the presidency’s rotation, placing Voltaire as the new leader. Voltaire, an architect and urban planner with decades of public service experience, is seen as a key figure in the council’s continued efforts to stabilize the country.
Voltaire’s leadership will be followed by Fritz Alphonse Jean and Laurent St-Cyr, as part of the rotating presidency schedule. The official handover ceremony will take place on October 7, 2024, in Port-au-Prince.
The CPT, which was established to guide Haiti through a complex period of political transition, initially agreed that the presidency would alternate every five months among four designated members. The CPT’s primary focus is on stabilizing the country and addressing security, infrastructure, and governance issues.
Voltaire’s extensive experience in public administration and his leadership in various government roles are expected to be crucial as Haiti navigates ongoing challenges. He has previously held posts such as Minister of Education and Special Envoy to the United Nations, playing a pivotal role in Haiti’s recovery efforts after political crises and natural disasters.
