After Two Years of Silence, Laurent Lamothe Calls for a National Awakening

Key Points of the Interview By Jean Mapou PORT-AU-PRINCE.— After nearly two years of relative media discretion, former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has returned to the public stage during an interview with the podcast «Pièce de Résistance». In this interview, the former head of government delivered a severe analysis of the multidimensional crisis affecting Haiti and outlined his vision for leading the country out of the impasse. From the outset of the interview, Laurent Lamothe described the current situation as a profound crisis combining widespread insecurity, political paralysis, and institutional collapse. According to him, the Haitian state has progressively lost control of several areas of the territory to armed groups, further weakening institutions and hindering the normal functioning of the country. The former Prime Minister believes that the absolute priority must be the re-establishment of security, an indispensable condition for the return of political and economic stability. The Impact of Jovenel Moïse's Assassination When asked about the events that exacerbated the country's instability, Lamothe referred to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. He considers this event a major turning point that aggravated the institutional crisis and plunged Haiti into a period of prolonged political uncertainty. According to him, it remains essential that full light be shed on this crime, particularly to identify the masterminds and restore confidence in the judicial system. A Critical Look at the Political Class During the interview, the former head of government did not spare the Haitian political class. He criticizes certain actors for prioritizing power struggles and partisan rivalries to the detriment of concrete solutions for the population. For Lamothe, the country suffers from a deficit of leadership and strategic vision, which prevents the development of a national project capable of mobilizing the country's various forces. A Vision for Reconstruction The former Prime Minister also outlined the key areas he deems essential for Haiti to emerge from the crisis. Among his priorities are:
the re-establishment of state authority over the entire territory;
the revival of the economy and the attraction of investments;
the modernization of public administration;
and the strengthening of international cooperation, while prioritizing solutions led by Haitians themselves. Governmental Experience as a Backdrop Throughout the discussion, Laurent Lamothe also reflected on his time as head of government between 2012 and 2014. He argued that during times of crisis, leaders must demonstrate swift action, economic vision, and the ability to unite, particularly by involving the diaspora and international partners. Through this statement, the former Prime Minister thus seeks to relaunch the debate on the future of Haiti and on the necessity, according to him, of leadership capable of rebuilding the state and restoring hope to the population. Jean Mapou/ Le Relief