Historic swearing-in of Haitian Council

Edwin Paraison, president of the Zile Foundation and former Haitian Consul, considered the swearing-in of the Transitional Presidential Council in Haiti (CPT) a historic step that has given rise to an unprecedented experience in which nine personalities from different parties and sectors have taken the responsibility of leading the country under a new scheme.

He considered that this fact sent a clear signal to the illegally armed groups and corrupt politicians linked to drug trafficking who were threatening to take control of these centers of power about the beginning of a process of reestablishment of the authority of the State.

“Said groups and their sponsors must pay before justice for their multiple crimes,” he opined.

Regarding the CPT, he considered that in the immediate term, a leader should be chosen among them and then appoint a prime minister with an already defined profile who, in a coordinated manner, would make up the new cabinet.

He recalled that the idea of its creation provoked many debates in Haiti for two fundamental reasons: on the one hand, the number of its members, which for many could represent a burden for the State, linked to the difficulties that could arise for decision making; and on the other hand, the imposition on its members to accept the presence of international troops, judged by many as unnecessary if the Army supports the Police.

According to Paraison, the CTP is expected to address the nation to present its plan of action and, as the Mexican and Dominican presidents do, to have weekly fluid communication to gain the population’s confidence and strengthen its leadership.

Meanwhile, Iván Gatón, an expert in international politics, considered it praiseworthy that, for the first time, the entire Haitian opposition has agreed to create a space that can “give light to the dark tunnel that Haiti has become.” He valued that all political sectors and civil society achieved the consensus that did not exist to try to give some stability to Haiti, where gangs control most of the territory of Port-au-Prince.

“This is a good sign because we are having elements that go beyond these criminal groups,” he said.

Gatón regretted that instability and criminality have increased, which should be shameful for the international community.