By Gotson Pierre
P-au-P., 07 from 2024 [AlterPresse] — This image summarizes the current situation of the Presidential Transitional Council (Cpt), barely installed on Thursday April 25, 2024 at the National Palace and undermined by divisions from the initiation of the process of choosing leaders on April 30, 2024, notes the online agency AlterPresse.
The blockage appeared when a declared majority of 4 out of 7 members attempted to monopolize both the presidency of the Council and the government.
Former senator Edgar Leblanc Fils was appointed president of the Cpt. Following this designation, controversy arose, in particular because of the announcement of the choice of a prime minister outside the stages provided for in the crisis exit agreement of April 3, 2024.
The discussions between the advisors, if there are any, are endless without the population being informed of a glimmer of resolution to the dispute, while rumors multiply.
The question of the formal constitution of the “indissoluble majority bloc” of 4 out of 7 members is considered unsuitable by specialists and members of civil society.
Neither the agreement of April 3, 2024, nor the decree of April 12, provides for the formation of a bloc, as admitted in a parliament. Are the presidential advisors then authorized to form a bloc within the Presidential Transitional Council? Can a “block” attempt to lock the transition? And in this case, what would it be used for?
Should we define a qualified majority of 5 out of 7 for making major decisions? Is there a need for a rotating presidency? Various options are mentioned in the opinion with a view to smoothing out the situation.
But, apparently, it would be more complicated than we think, because the designation of April 30 would not even have been recorded. Which would make it impossible for the presidential body to produce a report, requested by the Montana group, represented on the Council. Unless there is a post-designation compromise, which would be difficult to find for the moment.
The same would apply to the observation report of the two observer members of the Council, one of whom, Frinel Joseph from civil society, chaired the electoral office which was to organize the vote which did not take place.
Another dimension of the problem relates to the various interests that would be at stake. Dark forces are pointed out in various hypotheses formulated. Some see, rightly or wrongly, the hand of large economic groups, or of personalities under international sanctions or even of those accused in the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse.
The agreement reached by Haitian political actors with the support of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), on March 11, to enter into a new transition, excludes both personalities under international sanctions and those accused.
The presumed leadership of Edgard Leblanc is under severe test.
The international community remains silent on what is seen as a misstep by the Presidential Council. Generally, there was no reaction to the accession of Edgard Leblanc to the presidency of the Cpt, contrary to the attitude observed the day after the installation of the advisors.
This does not mean that pressure would not be exerted behind the scenes on the members of the Cpt.
There were a lot of expectations at the installation of the Cpt, almost two weeks ago. The atmosphere that has prevailed since then does not reassure as to the real possibility of addressing a situation which is only getting worse.
Moreover, the criminal actions of armed gangs intensified the day after the official installation of the Presidential Transitional Council at the National Palace. And it is the continuous flight of the population of various neighborhoods which are suffering renewed attacks from armed gangs which control most of the capital.
Between March and April, around 100,000 people left the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince to take refuge in provincial towns, because of the violence of armed gangs.
For the last two months, we do not yet have an assessment of the lives lost in the relentless offensive of criminal groups, while we know that this terror has more than 2,500 dead or injured during the first quarter of 2024according to the United Nations (UN).
The capital has remained isolated since March. No commercial lines reach Toussaint Louverture international airport, which came under fire. Activities are at a standstill at the capital’s port, attacked by gangs.
Abroad, the Biden administration approved a $60 million military aid package to help Haiti crack down on gangs, according to the American press. These are mainly small arms, but also some armored vehicles.
In about two weeks, it was announced, the first forces from Kenya, which will take the lead of a Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (Mmas)should arrive in the country.
While the international community now seems to be getting active, will the Presidential Transitional Council in the midst of a storm be able to validly play its essential role as interlocutor? [gp apr 07/05/2024 12 :00]
