PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC -Haiti has been facing, over the past few years, a succession of misdeeds, resulting in a never-ending social and political stalemate, prompting world and regional organizations to engage in a series of initiatives aimed at convincing crisis stakeholders to resolve their differences, as the impoverished Caribbean country plunges deeper into the abyss every day.
The United Nations Security Council, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have tried their best to get Haitian politicians to agree on several essential steps toward ending the gridlock.
Several political and civil society groups have also made several agreement proposals, but after multiple attempts, they have yet to find common ground to move forward.
Whole neighborhoods in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince are run by heavily armed gangs terrorizing and killing people, including women and children, who are often raped in total impunity.
Political actors’ evident lack of will to overcome their egos and put Haiti’s interests first is why a consensual solution has not yet been found. Haitian actors have a crucial lack of patriotism, and the international community can do nothing about it.
The main challenge now remains how to get the main actors to agree to take the unavoidable steps towards securing free and fair presidential, legislative, and local elections.
But before all that and to facilitate the process, Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry should open up the government to other main parties – at least those who wish to help make a difference -to turn it into a real inclusive and consensus government.
Several persons agree that there should be an authority, an institution, to assume the President’s powers. But that would mean a reform of the Haitian constitution that has designated the Council of Ministers with such capabilities.
Political observers here say that when the vacuum occurs in the fourth year of the President’s five-year term – as was the case with the late President Jovenel Moise – the Parliament, comprising both chambers, should appoint a new head of state.
But there’s no parliament in place. So, the alternative closest to the terms of the current constitution remains the provision that allows the Council of Ministers under the Prime Minister’s leadership to assume the President’s powers.
The political observers argue that at least seven steps are necessary before Haiti may go back to constitutional order with a legitimate government, an elected parliament, and a functioning judiciary.
They say there is a need for the police, supported by a foreign rapid military force, to help restore security, which is a sine qua noncondition before any electoral campaign may be launched and before any election is held.
In addition, a consensus government that includes opposition parties, representatives of the different proposed agreements, and credible representatives of civil society should be named, and the appointment of an inclusive and non-partisan electoral council to organize reasonable, free, fair, and democratic elections.
Further, they say the government should be obligated to consult with the High Council of the Transition (HCT) before taking any major decision affecting the country’s governance and future and that the newly appointed electoral council or a special constituent assembly comprising credible and non-controversial personalities would propose a new constitution, which would eventually be sanctioned by a popular vote in 2024.
There is also an argument that general elections could be held in October 2025 to allow for a new parliament and the new President to be sworn in, respectively, in January and February 2026
The recently appointed at the Supreme Court by the Council of Ministers of Government, the highest political body in Haiti right now, should remain in office until Parliament and the government duly appoint new justices who would be sworn in subsequently.
However, the observers remain skeptical about whether there will be an agreement among the Haitian politicians and other actors in the future.
“Of course, I wish they could prove me wrong. But unfortunately, I know it’s going to end in chaos as I said,” said one prominent political observer, who did not want to be named.
“The only way out is for the international community to help the country with the security situation, to facilitate the implementation of the various steps … particularly holding a credible and internationally monitored electoral process.
“Those who believe they have to go to elections to access to power will agree to participate, while several others – who know for certain they don’t stand a chance of winning fair, honest and democratic elections – will sure stay away, and they will be within their rights. Nobody should force them if they don’t wish to.”
Haitian authorities and the international community have one obligation: make sure the process is open, secure, non-partisan, non-fraudulent, fair, honest, and democratic.
Voters will determine the rest. No one needs an agreement to accept to go to elections. You need to be sure the process is fair, and you can afford an excellent campaign to convince voters.
Many of the actors meeting with the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony believe the only way for them to access power is through a transition, decided in small groups, by people with loud voices, but who do not represent the will of the majority of the Haitian people.
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