Overview:
Although Ronald Célicourt, director of the National Port Authority (APN) in northern Haiti, isn’t popular in the town, some residents of Cap-Haïtien violently protested in the streets when they learned that the central government might replace him soon. Police officers were sent to disperse the crowd, and gunshots were heard. However, no injuries or deaths were reported as protesters demonstrated in light rain on Thursday, Sept. 18.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Dozens of demonstrators set tires on fire Thursday outside the National Port Authority (APN) in Cap-Haïtien, protesting rumors that northern departmental director Ronald Célicourt would be replaced. Police responded to the scene as gunshots rang out, though no deaths or major injuries were reported.
Approximately 50 protesters, including APN employees and political activists, gathered under light rainfall on Sept. 18. Dozens of demonstrators again protested in front of APN on Sept. 19.
Some protesters argued Célicourt has been doing “work that not even the mayor is doing” and warned that his removal could disrupt port activities.
“Okap is another place, Okap is not easy,” Jean Gesner Géffrard, a northern leader of the Pitit Dessalines political party, told local reporter Guyno Duverné during the protest. “If you think you can come do demagogy in our department, you have to go through us first.”
The government has not confirmed whether Célicourt will be replaced. Protesters claimed that former APN General Director Jocelyn Villier had requested Célicourt’s transfer to Port-au-Prince shortly before Villier was dismissed amid corruption allegations. Villier has not commented publicly.
On the same day as the protest, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) announced new appointments at several state institutions, including Evens Charles as APN’s new general director, Elysée Colagène at the National Education Fund (FNE), and Gérald Remplais at the General Administration of Customs.
Célicourt’s controversial record
While the show of support for Célicourt surprised many, he has faced heavy criticism since taking the northern APN post in June 2024. Residents have accused him of embezzlement and nepotism for allegedly hiring multiple relatives at the port, though no evidence has been presented. Célicourt has been building a home in Richardville, a hilly neighborhood in Cap-Haïtien, at an extremely fast pace, raising questions about his source of income.
Residents also accuse Célicourt of paying demonstrators to protest in his favor. Many of the demonstrators are men from low-income neighborhoods who typically take part in protests.
Just five days before the protest, the Popular Association of the North, an activist group, sent a letter to Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) accusing Célicourt of corruption. “Arrest Ronald Célicourt,” one activist shouted during the demonstration.
One member of the group, Davilmar Moncius, said he was physically assaulted on the day of the protest and blamed Célicourt, according to Comactu.
Residents have also complained of mismanagement under Célicourt’s leadership, alleging that APN services have deteriorated. Célicourt, who ran unsuccessfully for deputy of Dondon in 2016, has not responded to a request for comment about the accusations.
It remains unclear who would succeed him if he is removed from his post. On Sept. 16, just two days before the protest, Moïse Cadet was appointed assistant director of APN in the northern region.