Caricom urges resigning Haitian PM to immediately install the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC)

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is calling on the resigning government of Ariel Henry to take the necessary steps for the “immediate installation” of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). This demand was made in a letter addressed to the resigning Prime Minister Ariel Henry on March 28. The letter includes the names of all nine councilors, comprising seven voting members and two observers officially designated by the Haitian stakeholders involved in the Caricom-led consensus in Jamaica on March 11.

Henry, who has been unable to return to Haiti due to the escalation of gang violence since February 29, is eagerly anticipated to publish a decree in Haiti’s official state journal Le Moniteur, naming the presidential council.

“This entity is expected to facilitate a smooth and peaceful transition of power and ensure the continuity of governance, paving the way for free and fair elections in the shortest possible time,” stated Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, in the letter addressed to Henry on March 28.

Caricom has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to resolve Haiti’s political crisis by submitting the names of the Presidential Council members to the resigning Haitian Prime Minister. This action signifies progress toward providing the country with another transitional government. Caricom clarified that this decision was made following the agreement reached between the regional organization’s leaders, Haitian stakeholders, and international partners, notably the United States, during the Jamaica March 11 meeting.

Final and revised list

The definitive list of Transitional Presidential Council members sent to Henry includes representatives from various sectors and political groups. Following the departure of two designated members who left the council last week, the updated version of the TPC includes:

• Collectif of 30 January: Edgard Leblanc Fils
• December 21 Accord: Louis Gérald Gilles
• Pitit Dessalines: Emmanuel Vertilaire
• EDE/RED/Compris Historique: Smith Augustin
• Fanmi Lavalas: Lesly Voltaire
• Montana Accord of August 30, 2021: Fritz Alphonse Jean
• Private Sector: Laurent Saint Cyr

    Observers:

• Civil Society: Frisnel Joseph
• Inter-Faith Sector: Regine Abraham

Ali assured the resigning prime minister that he would be contacted once the name of the interim prime minister, who will replace him, is known. For the Caribbean community, this step is urgent so that the Transitional Presidential Council can begin functioning and enable the deployment of the multinational security support mission in Haiti, which has been grappling with escalating violence since February 29.

The President of CARICOM emphasized to the Haitian Prime Minister the importance of deploying the MSS to assist the Haitian police in restoring security and stability in the country, with a view towards elections and the “long-term recovery of Haiti’s growth and development.”

Waiting for TPC’s official appointment

A council of ministers from the resigning government met on Friday evening to decide on the publication of names and the decree appointing the Transitional Presidential Council to lead Haiti. However, after more than two hours of discussion, the Council of Ministers refrained from making any decisions without the framework document outlining the creation, organization, and functioning of the Presidential Council directly from Caricom..

Several Haitian media outlets report that the Council of Ministers had received the document in question from members of the Presidential Council but deemed it unacceptable, arguing that the interface with the government is through Caricom. The resigning ministers also raised the issue of the competence and quality of the TPC members to draft the functional framework document, which they believe should be the government’s responsibility. A letter should be addressed to Caricom to inform them of these issues.

Meanwhile, the Haitian people continue to await the resolution of the crisis in hopes of finding solutions to the country’s various problems, particularly the insecurity that threatens their daily lives and well-being. Additionally, gangs continue to kidnap, loot, burn infrastructure, and have already killed more than 1,500 people in the first three months of 2024, according to the United Nations.