Haiti: Transitional Presidential Council named

Haiti has taken a crucial step towards resolving its political and socio-economic crisis by announcing the members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), signaling a commitment to pave the way for fresh elections.

Published in the official gazette Le Moniteur late Tuesday, the decree revealed the appointed members: former diplomat Smith Augustin, ex-Senator Louis Gerald Gilles, former central bank governor Fritz Alphonse Jean, ex-Senate President Edgard Leblanc Fils, entrepreneur Laurent Saint-Cyr, lawyer Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Leslie Voltaire, a former minister and diplomat. Additionally, Evangelical pastor Frinel Joseph and former World Bank official Regine Abraham were appointed as non-voting observer members.

This announcement came shortly after the government’s denial of any published decree regarding the CPT’s formation, countering rumors circulating on social media. The Ministry of Communication clarified that the official newspaper, Le Moniteur, had not yet published any decree regarding the council.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed office with international support following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, expressed his intention to step down upon the official installation of the CPT and the swearing-in of a new prime minister, preceding the fresh elections.

However, Henry currently faces travel challenges, as he remains stranded in Puerto Rico after his visit to Kenya, where he witnessed the signing of an agreement allowing the African nation to lead a United Nations Security Council-sanctioned multinational security mission aimed at restoring peace and security in Haiti.

Earlier this week, the CPT members urged for their prompt installation, accusing the Henry government of attempting to introduce significant modifications that could further delay the process of achieving peace and security in the nation.