Caricom’s eminent personalities met as planned this Tuesday with the supporters of the December 21 agreement and the EDE/RED/Historic Compromise coalition around the scandal that has rocked the presidential council. Caricom will meet with Pitit Dessalines on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
During this meeting via zoom between Caricom and these two sectors whose representatives are accused of demanding bribes, the regional organization would have suggested to them that these advisers withdraw from the CPT pending the outcome of the ULCC investigation, according to concordant sources close to the discussions. According to the regional organization, this scandal constitutes a serious obstacle to the transition. The ISAs would be of the same opinion.
Whether it is the 21 December or the RED/EDE/Historic Compromise coalition, all have put forward the principle of the presumption of innocence. These political structures have clearly indicated to Caricom that they do not intend to liquidate their representative before the results of the ULCC investigation. However, according to information, since yesterday evening, the 21 December agreement has been in consultation mode.
According to reports, the hearing this Tuesday by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the three members of the CPT would not be enough to calm the international community.
Indeed, this Tuesday, the 3 councillors-presidents Louis Gérald Gilles, Emmanuel Vertilaire and Smith Augustin, against all expectations, appeared at the ULCC to be heard as part of the investigation into the request for bribes of 100 million gourdes denounced by the now former chairman of the Board of Directors of the BNC.
In the case of Emmanuel Vertilaire, everything was planned, while Smith Augustin went there voluntarily. And during the day, Louis Gérald Gilles called the newspaper to announce his decision to also answer the questions of the ULCC investigators. Contacted by our editorial staff after the hearing, a source close to the indexed advisers said that the file would be empty and that it would simply be allegations.
At first, the advisers cited the law to explain the ULCC’s incompetence in questioning them, but ultimately decided to cooperate, since they said they had nothing to reproach themselves for.
Several weeks ago, the former chairman of the BNC Board of Directors Raoul Pierre Louis had denounced the President-Councillors Louis Gérald Gilles, Emmanuel Vertilaire and Smith Augustin for having put pressure on him to pay them 100 million gourdes so that he would be kept in his post. He had sent a letter to the Prime Minister to this effect. However, those concerned have all rejected these allegations. For them, it is a false scandal whose objective is to discredit the Presidential Council. The hearing of the members of the CPT by the ULCC investigators coincides with a meeting the same day between Caricom and the 3 sectors whose representatives in the CPT are accused of corruption.
With the presence of the 3 President-Councillors at the ULCC, the matter takes a decisive turn.
Following this scandal which has tarnished the CPT, eminent personalities from Caricom had landed in Haiti to inquire about the situation.
In a press release on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, they presented a report on their stay in Haiti, during which they met with key actors in the transition. The GPE had notably stressed that the allegations of corruption against members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) in the BNC affair were weakening the transition process. These personalities had insisted on the need for a rapid resolution to preserve the integrity of the institution and public confidence in this process.
By Gazette Haiti News
