The government publishes the decree creating the presidential council with a mandate strictly limited to February 7, 2026

The government publishes the decree creating the presidential transitional council which has a mandate limited strictly to February 7, 2026

About a month since the resignation of the first Ariel Henry and a week after signing the transition agreement, the resigning government published the decree creating the presidential transition council. According to article 1, the Transitional Presidential Council is composed of seven (7) members with voting rights and two (2) observers without voting rights.

The seven (7) voting members include one representative from each of the following groups: Agreement of August 30, 2021 known as Montana; Agreement of December 21, 2022; Collective of Political Parties of January 30, 2023; EDE/RED/Historical Compromise; Fanmi Lavalas Party; Pitit Desalin Party; Private sector. The two observers without the right to vote are: a representative of civil society; and a representative of the Inter Faith Community.

The decree specifies that the “Transitional Presidential Council is chaired by one of its members chosen by consensus or by a majority of its members. A regulatory act taken by the Council of Ministers determines the organization and mode of operation of the Transitional Presidential Council. The Transitional Presidential Council exercises specific presidential powers of the presidency during the transition period until the inauguration of the President-elect which must take place, at the latest, February 7, 2026..

About the CPT’s mission

The Presidential Transitional Council, according to the decree, participates, in agreement with the Prime Minister, in the formation of an inclusive Ministerial Cabinet; approves the agenda of the Council of Ministers, in agreement with the Prime Minister, and co-signs the Decrees; sets the criteria for selecting the members of an impartial Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and appoints them; takes all measures to promote a peaceful transition; ensures the continuity of governance and establishes a National Security Council; continues collaboration with all members of the international community for the accelerated deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699/2023.

A mandate strictly limited to February 7, 2026

The Transitional Presidential Council quickly chooses and appoints a Prime Minister. The latter, in agreement with the Presidential Transitional Council, chooses the members of his Ministerial Cabinet in an inclusive manner. The members of the Transitional Presidential Council are subject to the asset declaration formalities provided for by the Constitution and the Law in this area.

Still according to the decree, the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council ends, at the latest, on February 7, 2026. The Transitional Presidential Council cannot benefit from an extension of mandate. Members of the Presidential Transitional Council as well as those of the government will not be able to run in the next elections. The Transitional Presidential Council has its headquarters at the National Palace.

Despite the fact that all members have already been chosen, the decree states that no one can be part of the Presidential Transitional Council: if he is currently the subject of an accusation or criminal prosecution, or if he has been convicted in any jurisdiction; if he is the subject of a sanction by the United Nations; if he is a candidate in the next elections in Haiti; if he opposes United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699/2023 authorizing the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission.