Haiti – Politic : The CPT is dysfunctional (open letter)
17/06/2025 11:00:30
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Frinel Joseph, Observer Member of the Presidential Transitional Council, sent an open letter to his fellow executives of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) dated June 16, 2025, reminding the Councilors of their responsibilities and the urgency to get to work, and making proposals to restore the proper functioning of the PTC.
Letter from Frinel Joseph :
“Dear Fellow Presidential Councilors,
I wish to address this letter to you with the aim of reminding you of our historical and patriotic responsibility and making you aware of the efforts that must be made and the divisions that must be overcome in order to continue our work for the good of the country.
Indeed, the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) is the result of a broad consensus among the country’s main political forces, supported by civil society, to fill the institutional void caused by the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry on March 11, 2024.
The stakeholders developed and initialed the political agreement of April 3, 2024, to politically frame the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), entrusting it with three (3) fundamental missions: 1) resolving the security problem; 2) holding the referendum; 3) the holding of elections so that the country can have legitimate and constitutionally elected officials on February 7, 2026.
The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), composed of nine (9) members (7 voting members and 2 observer members), was sworn in on April 25, 2024, at the National Palace https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42198-haiti-flash-swearing-and-installation-of-members-of-the-cpt.html and has since led the transition.
In addition to being full members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), observer members have a duty to facilitate its harmony and proper functioning. It is with this in mind that I am writing this letter to you, noting the Council’s dysfunction.
Actions have undoubtedly been taken to establish the institutions necessary for the functioning of the state in accordance with the said agreement. These include, among others:
1) The establishment of the Government led by Prime Minister Garry Conille, sworn in on June 12, 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44597-haiti-flash-mirebalais-under-attack-numerous-victims-more-than-500-escapees-on-the-run-video.html ;
2) The establishment of the current Government led by Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, on November 16, 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43650-haiti-flash-installation-of-the-new-transitional-government-video.html ;
3) The creation of the Steering Committee of the National Conference, on July 17, 2024 and installed on August 23, 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43053-haiti-politic-installation-of-the-members-of-the-steering-committee-of-the-national-conference.html from which a draft Constitution was proposed on May 21, 2025 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44957-haiti-flash-submission-to-the-government-of-the-preliminary-draft-of-the-new-constitution-of-haiti.html ;
4) The establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council on October 18, 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43574-haiti-elections-first-activities-of-the-cep.html and completion on December 13, 2024, which, despite the difficulties, is working tirelessly to organize the elections.
5) A Minister Delegate for Electoral Affairs https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43785-haiti-politic-installation-of-two-new-ministers-delegate-to-the-pm.html has also been appointed to facilitate the progress of the process.
On several occasions, observers have enabled the CPT to overcome difficult moments and find the cohesion necessary to decide on issues of general interest. However, I had sounded the alarm on many points that would allow us to move faster, better, and further but the observations and recommendations of the observer members were not always taken into account.
Following the accusations concerning the BNC case https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43336-haiti-flash-the-ulcc-in-the-bnc-case-requests-criminal-actions-against-3-transitional-advisors-report.html , a code of ethics was developed and proposed to the CPT with the aim of promoting better functioning of the Council. Unfortunately, it was not adopted.
Regarding the mostly erroneous information circulating on social media and in the media regarding the amounts allocated to presidential advisors and their spouses, I proposed that the Council issue a clarification and information memo so that citizens could have the correct information, in accordance with the principles of transparency. Unfortunately, this was not done. I had to remain silent to avoid fueling suspicions of discord within the CPT, and to this day, we continue to be torn apart in this regard.
I had expressed reservations about the rotating presidency adopted by the resolution of May 12, 2024 for two (2) fundamental reasons. First, it was a violation of the April 3 agreement. Second, I thought it would cause problems in the transfer of responsibilities. In fact, this problem arises today and creates a kind of mistrust at every turn.
I note that for some time now, the Presidential Transitional Council has been blocked due to internal struggles between the voting members, publicly accusing each other, while the CPT has approximately eight (8) months remaining under the terms of the April 3 agreement. The Council must therefore transcend internal divisions and focus on the mission defined for it by the April 3 agreement, which expires on February 7, 2026.
Therefore, I propose :
1. An emergency retreat to resolve disputes and commit to the objectives for which the Council was established;
2. An assessment followed by a meeting with the country’s key stakeholders, including those who could contribute to finding solutions to achieve our mission;
3. To make periodic presentations to the public on the Council’s actions;
4. To hold a Council of Ministers meeting as soon as possible to provide the CEP with a referendum decree that would allow it to better advance its work and adopt any other pending decisions.”
HL/ HaitiLibre