Haiti: More political instability as Moïse names new prime minister

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on Monday said he had named Environment Minister Joseph Jouthe as the new prime minister, replacing Jean Michel Lapin.

“Following consultations I had with different sectors of the country, I chose citizen Joseph Jouthe as new Prime Minister,” Moïse said in a brief statement, adding that Joseph is being called upon “to form, as soon as possible, a government of openness and consensus, capable of responding to the emergencies of the day.”

“I want to thank the former Prime Minister Jean Michel Lapin and his government for the services rendered to the nation. I especially want to congratulate Mr Lapin for his commitment, his loyalty, his patriotism and his spirit of sacrifice after a year spent at the Prime Minister’s office,” Moïse said.

Lapin, the former culture and communications minister, was named acting prime minister on March 21 last year, three days after the Chamber of Deputies voted to censure the government of former Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for Céant’s resignation, saying he had failed to improve conditions in the 6 months since he took over at the head of government.

Lapin was the third head of government under president Moïse who has led the country since February 2017.

Since coming to office, opposition parties have been staging widespread demonstrations accusing Moïse of corruption.

Moïse has called for a government of national unity, but the opposition have dismissed the call, instead calling for him to step down. -(CMC)