Haiti is progressing towards the establishment of the Presidential Council

Haiti is making significant progress towards the establishment of a transitional Presidential Council (CPT) following the appointment of Louis Gérald Gilles as the representative of the December 21 Agreement. Gilles, the leader of the NOULHA party and signatory of the Agreement, was chosen by different factions of the group to sit on the transitional Presidential Council. His nomination brings the total number of appointed personalities to six.

According to Vikerson Garnier, former MP, an agreement was reached with the minority bloc of the December 21 Agreement for the nomination of Gilles. This sentiment was echoed by Abel Descolines, another former MP, who supported the candidacy of Gilles. Sorel Jacinthe, a former senator, also confirmed that the candidacy of Gilles was officially agreed upon during a meeting with the two candidates, Levaillant Louis-Jeune and Vikerson Garnier.

All procedures related to Gilles have been forwarded to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for necessary follow-up. The next expected step is the activation of the transitional Presidential Council by CARICOM, with the first task being the publication of the list of members working under the direction of Michel Patrick Boisvert, head of the Council of Ministers.

The transitional Presidential Council now includes six members: Edgard Leblanc appointed by the Collective of Political Parties of January 30; Leslie Voltaire appointed by Fanmi Lavalas; Marie Ghislaine Mompremier representing the EDE, RED and Historic Compromise group; Fritz Alphonse chosen by the Montana Agreement; Laurent St Cyr nominated by the private sector; and Louis Gérald Gilles as the representative of the December 21 Agreement.

Once operational, the transitional Presidential Council must appoint a Prime Minister and form a government, as well as establish a provisional Electoral Council and coordinate with the international community to strengthen national security forces. It will also have the authority to sign decrees and ordinances, and maintain relations with Kenya as part of the International Support Mission for Security. The Prime Minister Ariel Henry officially announced his resignation during the evening of Monday, March 11, 2024, stating that his government would step down once the Presidential Council is installed. This was confirmed by CARICOM at the closing ceremony of the high-level meeting on the Haitian crisis held on March 11, 2024 in Kingston, Jamaica.