Haiti: A Call for the Haitianization of Mediation to Avoid Institutional Vacuum After February 7

PORT-AU-PRINCE.— As the February 7, 2026 deadline rapidly approaches and indecision looms over the future of transitional governance, a group of political actors, gathered in what they call a strategic think tank for national consensus, proposes resorting to Haitian mediation to achieve a consensus on the post-Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) period. In a letter addressed on January 16, 2026, to the CPT's chief of staff, Mr. Miradin Morlan, these actors indicated having acknowledged receipt of an invitation to an official meeting, while responding with an alternative proposal deemed more effective. For these actors, the current practice of multiplying bilateral meetings between the CPT and the various political-social groups no longer saves time. They believe that the urgency of the calendar requires a unique and centralized methodology: rather than a series of separate consultations, a common framework should be organized where all proposals would be put on the table simultaneously and discussed jointly. This reasoning is based on an observation; according to them, on essential points, particularly on the sensitive issue of replacing the executive, several proposals already converge. In other words, the discussion would not start from scratch but from a foundation of pre-existing ideas whose compatibility could facilitate compromise. National Mediation Rather Than an Exclusive CPT Initiative The letter's flagship proposal is the creation of a group of credible Haitian facilitators, composed of personalities from religious denominations, the State University of Haiti, with the possibility of international technical support, which is reminiscent of mechanisms already used in the past in transition processes. This body would not be a shadow government, but a mediation platform, whose role would be to invite stakeholders, including the CPT itself, to reach a consensus within a limited timeframe. Urgency as a Driving Force The emphasis on time is a central element of the missive. Three weeks before the deadline, the risk of an institutional vacuum, or at least a conflict over the legitimacy of authorities after February 7, is clearly identified. The text implicitly evokes the fear of a scenario where “jou bare nou,” a politically charged Creole expression, signifies that time or history would eventually catch up with the actors. The document is signed by three well-known personalities: Dr. Alex Larsene, Agr. Ricard Pierre, Ing. Rosemond Pradel. This trio is not insignificant; each has previously been involved in political, institutional, or electoral initiatives, which lends a certain weight to the approach. Their convergence around a method rather than a name or a transition scheme is also revealing. The issue is primarily procedural, a rare point of potential consensus in a fragmented context. A Possible Turning Point in the Post-CPT Crisis This letter introduces a new element into the Haitian political debate: the recognition by national actors of the time limit and the impasse that parallel consultation strategies would create. The use of Haitian mediation, and not exclusively international, could also address a recurring criticism of previous transitions: excessive external dependence. Furthermore, technical support often makes the international community the master of the game or creates loopholes facilitating interference. Nevertheless, a fundamental question remains: will the CPT agree to no longer be the sole master of the political dialogue's timing? With less than 25 days until the official end of its mandate, time plays a decisive role. Jean Mapou / Le Relief