PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC—Haiti’s international artiste, Wyclef Jean, says that while the socio-political situation in his country remains “very fragile and volatile,” there have been several “promising and encouraging steps” towards finding a solution to the crisis.
In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Jean acknowledged that positive steps were being taken despite numerous challenges.
He said all nine members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) have agreed on the terms of a political agreement “and that further steps are expected within the coming days to allow the inauguration of the council and so on.”
Last Friday, the CPT said the political agreement had been finalized between the different political, economic, and civil society sectors that constitute it.
“This agreement, which has been harmonized with the decree document on the organization and operation of the CPT, will be immediately signed by the stakeholders, and then the two documents will be officially transmitted to the Government via CARICOM, the body facilitating the dialogue process,” the CPT said in a statement.
“The political agreement expresses a common vision of the transition constructed by the sectors and represents a responsible commitment to the Haitian people. It indicates the broad outlines of the road map for the transition period that the Presidential Council will be responsible for executing jointly with the next consensus government. To put the country back on the path to stability, peace, union, and progress.”
Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry, whose government is under pressure from criminal gangs and opposition parties, has already indicated that he would be willing to step down once a transition council and temporary replacement have been appointed.
Henry had traveled to Kenya in late February to secure support for an international security mission to fight Haiti’s powerful armed gangs. Still, violence in the capital escalated during his absence and left him stranded in Puerto Rico.
Haiti came to office following the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haiti’s last president, Jovenel Moise. He had postponed elections, citing a lack of security.
Jean said that the announcement by the CPT “is an important step which needs to be supported.
“However, for the process to succeed, it remains crucial that the new authorities decide to reactivate the existing National Committee for Disarmament, Dismantling, and Reinsertion and deal with armed groups to prevent continuous security chaos, with or without the prior deployment of a robust international security force.”
Jean said that the most crucial issue is to restore security and peace” and resolutely launch the country on the path of development and accountability.
“So, in conclusion, there are other solutions that could be better, such as the appointment of a judge at the Supreme Court as President,” he wrote, adding, “However, given the wide and diverse range of key actors involved, the current proposed solution represents a rare opportunity to move forward.”
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