CARICOM: Community urges reconfiguration of the Presidential Council in Haiti by corruption

CARICOM Community, Aug 2024 Photo: CARICOM

August 22, 2024 Hour: 5:41 pm

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expressed concern at the inaction of the Presidential Council of Haiti on allegations of corruption. Civil society calls for the immediate dismissal of the directors involved.

The position is taken after a visit by a CARICOM delegation to Haiti and is based on a report that concludes that the lack of transparency in the face of allegations of corruption has weakened public confidence in the Presidential Council.

According to the report, in meetings with representatives of civil society and political parties, Caricom saw a broad consensus on the need for a reboot and reconfiguration of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT).

The delegation sent to assess the situation in Haiti also stated that, following allegations of demands for bribes by three of the councillors, a situation of inaction is being exposed, which seriously affects the integrity of the transition process in the country.

🇭🇹 #CARICOM Heads of Government reiterated their commitment to support Haiti
📖 The Communique of the 47th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting gives further insight
📲 Scan the QR code or visit https://t.co/ZEtMCFgC5l to read the full details#47HGC pic.twitter.com/CAGGJpLalO
— CARICOM: Caribbean Community (@CARICOMorg) August 16, 2024

The corruption charges are focused on three councillors who allegedly demanded a bribe of 100 million gourdes, equivalent to about 757,000 US dollars, from the chairman of the board of directors of the National Credit Bank (BNC), Raoul Pierre Louis. The Haitian Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) has officially received the complaint and has initiated an investigation.

Haitian civil society has been forceful in its demand that these advisers be removed from their posts to ensure the transparency and credibility of the transition process. Caricom has emphasized that this research is crucial and has urged the Haitian authorities to act promptly.

The current situation threatens not only the transition process but also the political stability of the country. Caricom recalled the importance of reverting to the principles of inclusion, consensus and accountability, as set out in the Jamaica agreement signed in March 2024.