The CPT in Constant Turmoil: Smith Augustin Responds to Fritz Alphonse Jean

Everything is playing out in the arena of Le Nouvelliste newspaper. Following recent statements by the CPT coordinator, Fritz Alphonse Jean, who denounced hundreds of contested appointments in embassies, presidential advisor Smith Augustin categorically responds to him, challenging his accusations and clarifying his role.

In an interview granted to Le Nouvelliste last week, Fritz Alphonse Jean, coordinator of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), had denounced hundreds of appointments in Haitian diplomacy, claiming to have vetoed numerous proposals. He had notably pointed to clientelist practices, involving influential government members.

Reacting to these accusations, presidential advisor Smith Augustin, in an exclusive statement to the same newspaper, initially refused to respond to accusations he described as 'anonymous'. However, after the publication of Fritz Jean's remarks, he requested a right of reply to provide clarifications.

Questioned about these massive appointments, Smith Augustin explained: 'It would be easy to make denunciations, but leadership consists of providing solutions. Speaking of several hundred appointments is imprecise. Since May 25, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a note explaining that the appointment process complies with the operating budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.'

Regarding the assertion that Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, himself, and Louis Gérald Gilles alone referred more than 90% of the appointments, Smith Augustin retorted: 'I challenge anyone to prove this deliberate and malicious exaggeration. Each presidential advisor and the Prime Minister have the right to propose profiles for positions. For example, Fritz Jean and Leslie Voltaire alone recommended 14 ambassadors, including the most prestigious ones.'

As for his own recommendations, the former ambassador specified: 'I proposed about ten people and the reintegration of some civil servants unfairly recalled. I only recommended one ambassador, who has not yet taken office, awaiting accreditation. His candidacy, initially for the Dominican Republic, was opposed in favor of a former minister weakened by age.'

Smith Augustin regrets this decision, believing that the ideal candidate was an expert in Haitian migration, who could have facilitated a new bilateral agreement between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He added that he also supported the promotion of a career diplomat, Louino Volcy, recently appointed ambassador to Paris, recognized for his experience and degrees in international law.

These lively exchanges between Fritz Alphonse Jean and Smith Augustin more broadly reflect the deep internal divisions undermining the Presidential Transitional Council. The CPT appears fragmented into several small groups with often divergent interests: a majority bloc supporting Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, another around Fritz Jean and his allies, while Edgard Leblanc Fils stands in a 'qualitative minority,' with finally two observers completing this fragmentation. This fragmentation significantly hinders decision-making and casts doubt on the Council's ability to successfully carry out its mission in a climate of uncertainty and persistent tensions.