Fritz Alphonse Jean sworn in as Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council leader

Port-au-Prince, (EFE).- Fritz Alphonse Jean has been sworn in as president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), succeeding Leslie Voltaire after his five-month term. The transition comes amid escalating violence and instability in the country. At the swearing-in ceremony in Port-au-Prince, Jean acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing the urgency of addressing security, governance, economic recovery, and election preparations. He highlighted the dire situation in the Oeste and Artibonite regions, calling for swift state intervention to aid victims of ongoing violence and support internally displaced persons.

Jean reaffirmed his commitment to restoring constitutional order and urged national unity to combat insecurity. He pledged to recruit 3,000 new personnel for the Armed Forces and National Police, as well as seek air and sea support to reinforce border security. The CPT presidency follows a rotational system established in October 2024, with Jean set to lead until August 2025, before passing the role to Laurent Saint-Cyr. His predecessor, Voltaire, reflected on achievements such as increasing security personnel, reopening trade routes, and establishing shelters for vulnerable children, while acknowledging that much remains to be done to combat gang control in Port-au-Prince.

Born in Cap-Haïtien in 1956, Jean is an economist, writer, and former Prime Minister of Haiti. Educated in the U.S., he has worked extensively in economic consulting and university teaching. Though briefly appointed Prime Minister in 2016, his government plan was rejected by parliament. In 2022, he was elected interim president under the Montana Accord, though this was not recognized by the ruling authorities. Now, as CPT leader, he faces the daunting task of stabilizing Haiti amid its deepening crisis.