Haiti's political leaders are raising urgent concerns over the growing instability within the country's frail transition process, accusing the political party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and its allies of attempting to hijack the current governance model. Their alarming claims have led them to formally request intervention from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the bloc comprising 15 member states aimed at fostering economic integration and cooperation among Caribbean nations.
According to the leaders' three-page letter directed to CARICOM, the Transitional Presidential Council, which is responsible for steering Haiti toward security and political stability, has made "unilateral decisions" which they assert violate the spirit of a political agreement established back in April. The letter originates from four of the seven recognized sectors with voting privileges on the council: the December 21 Agreement, the Collective of Political Parties of January 30, the EDE-RED political coalition, and the Platform Pitit Desalin.
Interestingly, the Historique Compromis group, part of EDE-RED, has distanced itself from the letter, and the private sector along with the Montana Accord—another influential group—has not participated. The Montana Accord has publicly criticized the council, demanding the resignation of three members implicated in accusations surrounding bank bribery.
The turmoil engulfing Haiti is amplified following several high-stakes decisions made by Leslie Voltaire, the current president of the council. Just last month, Voltaire was instrumental in the dismissal of Prime Minister Garry Conille, followed by the appointment of businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as his replacement. Amid this political upheaval, the transitional government appointed numerous individuals—many connected to council members—to diplomatic positions, leading various leaders to voice their growing concern about perceived favoritism and potential nefarious motives.
These developments arrive at a particularly disconcerting moment when thousands of citizens have been expelled from their homes just this November alone due to gang violence, compounded by the tragic loss of lives from two massacres. With government officials, including Supreme Court Justices and high military command members unable to access their offices because of gang activity, the leaders' discontent over the council’s decisions mounts. They argue these actions reflect the council's failure to adhere to the political consensus agreed upon back in March.
Complementing the plea for intervention is criticism from the Fanmi Lavalas party, which distanced itself from the leaders' communication to CARICOM. The party issued its own statement condemning both the ruling council and the government for failing to maintain their promises to restore safety and governance. "The situation has worsened. Massacres and kidnappings have become rampant, with millions experiencing hunger and instability," Fanmi Lavalas lamented, calling for immediate action. Their grievance highlights the views of over six million citizens living under dire conditions.
Despite the apparent public disdain for the council, the tension surrounding the existing representatives complicates matters. The three council members—Louis Gérald Gilles, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Augustin—remain unyielding amid allegations of demanding immense sums from public bank directors. Even as their respective sectors demand their resignation, the members continue to reject accusations and refuse to engage with investigative authorities.
The genesis of this volatile political structuring dates back to March, when high-level negotiations were held under U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's watchful eye. Collaborators from CARICOM, along with representatives from Canada, France, and the United Nations, convened to outline measures to stabilize Haiti as coordinated gang attacks spurred chaos across the capital, Port-au-Prince. A power-sharing agreement emerged, optimized to create trust conducive to restoring order and preparing for elections.
Unfortunately, as mistrust begins to fester and confidence weakens within the council, the ever-loosening political grip threatens to unravel the transition. While Caribbean leaders are set to convene via video conference on the following Monday, the pressing question looms: Will they secure Haiti's future by stabilizing the government and facilitating the long-overdue organization of free and fair elections?
