Port-au-Prince, May 3, 2024
The Civil Society Group (GSC) takes note of the consensus that has been found between the political parties and groups Democratic Resistance Platform (RED), Committed to Development (EDE) and Historical Compromise; Pati Politik Pitit Dessalines (PPPD); Agreement of December 21; Collective of political parties of January 30 resulting in the choice of Edgard Leblanc Fils as Coordinating President of the Presidential Transitional Council and the designation of a Prime Minister Fritz Bélizaire.
With the idea of continuing to play its role, the Civil Society Group quickly advocates a consensus between the nine (9) Presidential Advisors who ensure “ in a collegial manner the orientation and management of the transition » whose mission is structured around three (3) priorities: Security; Constitutional and institutional reforms; Elections (article 4 of the April 3 agreement). He also took the opportunity to recall the principles that should guide the functioning of the Council and make some important considerations.
PrincipeNo1. Consensus between the nine (9) members of the Presidential Council has priority in any decision-making process of the latter. (article 30 of the Agreement of April 3, 2024). This principle requires all members of the Presidential Council and the sectors involved in the Agreement to cultivate the spirit of consensus in their actions and speeches for the success of the transition.
PrincipeNo2. Apart from a consensus in the choice of the President of the Council, the election of the latter must subscribe to the principle of the majority of 4 voting members out of 7.
PrincipeNo3. The choice of prime minister is made between three prime ministers on a list of 15. According to article 6 of the agreement of April 3, 2024, the procedure leading to the choice of the Prime Minister of the transition goes through the following stages:
i) The candidacy of a maximum of 15 applicants, 9 of which are proposed by the parties involved in the agreement and 6 others submitted by other sectors of society;
ii) The pre-qualification of three (3) prime ministers after the analysis of their files;
iii) The choice of the Prime Minister of the Transition according to the decision-making mechanisms of the Presidential Council.
On the basis of these principles, the Civil Society Group makes considerations on the evolution of the process of establishing transition leaders and undertakes to play its role with a view to a return to a climate of consensus between stakeholders.
Consideration 1: On the fragile and exceptional context of the country The Presidential Council is an exceptional formula resulting from a consensus and not from an election in which the elected President has a political program to apply. Therefore, we must always seek consensus between the nine (9) members.
Consideration 2: On the need to rekindle the flame of hope of the population Beyond any political and other motivations, it is the historic responsibility of the nine (9) members of the Presidential Council to do everything possible to bring hope back to the great Haitian family. It is the duty of all sectors to exercise conscious leadership to preserve appeasement and the spirit of consensus.
Civil Society Group Commitments The Presidential Council of the Transition cannot function on the basis of a majority and a protesting minority, while the survival of the population is in danger. The Civil Society Group (GSC) therefore undertakes to fully play its role in seeking consensus with a view to consolidating the process between the nine (9) entities which led to the establishment of the Council and the accelerated pursuit of the establishment of state institutions.
The Civil Society Group is also committed to accompanying and supporting the two non-voting members of the Council in fulfilling their facilitating role, while retaining their rights as full members.
The Civil Society Group encourages the population to support all initiatives aimed at demanding understanding and harmony between these officials to save Haiti from this great tragedy.
For authentication
Georges WilbertFRANCK
