Transition in Haiti: Towards a Handover Under Pressure in a Climate of Mistrust

The climate at the top of the Haitian state is becoming increasingly tense as the handover of the presidency of the Transitional Presidential Council approaches. In a context marked by allegations of corruption, internal tensions, and accusations of foreign interference, the outgoing CPT president, Fritz Alphonse Jean, denounces what he calls a campaign of destabilization and disinformation. A Contested Handover: Rumors of a Plot Against Laurent Saint Cyr Laurent Saint Cyr, representing the private sector, is set to take over the leadership of the CPT on August 7, 2025, in accordance with the rotation agreement signed when this structure was established in 2024. However, according to several political sources, a plot is underway to block this handover and cause the fall of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé. Persistent rumors suggest secret funding intended to support this maneuver. Although the United States has not named anyone, a State Department note mentions attempts at corruption within the CPT, commending those who have “refused to yield to it.” Speaking on Radio Magik 9, Pierre Espérance, executive director of RNDDH, confirms that negotiations are indeed underway to secure the replacement of the Prime Minister. According to him, certain political actors, including within the Transitional Presidential Council, would be willing to pay significant sums of money to achieve this. However, he believes that the current climate makes it highly improbable for a majority to form within the CPT to push through such a project, given the internal divisions. In a note published on X, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. State Department states that it is aware of maneuvers aimed at disrupting political stability in Haiti. The same message reiterates its support for cooperation between the Presidential Council and the Prime Minister, while promising to hold accountable actors seeking to disrupt this collaboration. Fritz Jean Reacts: “It’s Not a Plot” In interviews given successively to Radio Métropole and AyiboPost, Fritz Alphonse Jean clarified several points. He denies any illegitimate maneuver aimed at replacing the Prime Minister and affirms that the debate on government performance is legitimate and falls within the prerogatives of the CPT presidency. “It’s not a plot. It’s entirely normal to question the performance of the Prime Minister and the government in general,” he asserts. Jean also assures that the presidential handover with Laurent Saint Cyr will indeed take place, despite the suspicions. He denounces a rumor campaign orchestrated to undermine the legitimacy of the process and block the arrival of the private sector representative at the head of the Council. Controversial Remarks on the Saint Cyr – Fils Aimé Duo On Radio Métropole, Fritz Jean also expressed concerns about the concentration of the two highest executive positions — CPT president and Prime Minister — in the hands of a single social group, openly even raising the issue of colorism. “If two branches of the executive are represented by a single category, it will awaken hidden demons,” he stated, thus reigniting a sensitive debate on racial and social divisions in Haiti. A Presidency That Rejects Criticism Questioned about his own record at the head of the CPT since February 2025, Fritz Jean primarily shifted responsibility for failures onto other components of power, particularly the government. He criticizes the Prime Minister’s lack of initiative and a paralyzed administration, but without truly assuming his responsibilities as president of the Council. This stance has been criticized by several observers, including Pierre Espérance, who points to an ineffective presidency, in a context where the CPT suffers from a serious lack of coordination and collective vision. The Persistent Shadow of American Interference The message from the U.S. State Department is perceived by several political actors and analysts as tacit support for the incumbent Prime Minister, but also as a new manifestation of foreign interference in Haiti’s internal affairs. As early as 2021, the United States had arbitrated a political rivalry over the Prime Minister’s position by supporting Ariel Henry against Claude Joseph. A Paralyzed Transition and a Country Adrift Since the establishment of the CPT, very few concrete advances have been observed. Aside from the inauguration of a national call center, a school, and the holding of three Councils of Ministers in five months, the Presidential Council has not met the population’s expectations. On the ground, the situation is deteriorating: gangs control nearly 90% of the capital, 1.3 million internally displaced persons are registered, and half of the population lives in food insecurity. Anger is rising in the face of a transition incapable of organizing elections or restoring security. Towards a Turning Point or Deeper into Crisis? As Laurent Saint Cyr’s arrival at the head of the Presidential Council is expected in the coming hours, the climate is marked by widespread mistrust, cross-accusations, and a lack of clear direction. The transition, already criticized for its illegitimacy, is sinking into a power struggle without tangible results. The time is one of uncertainty. For many, the only viable solution lies in a broad and inclusive political dialogue, leading to credible elections and a refoundation of the Haitian social contract. The Editorial Staff