December 23, 2024
On Sunday, October 6, in a speech to the nation, Edgard Leblanc Fils, now former President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), clarified his position on the handling of sensitive matters within the Council. In a firm statement, Leblanc refused to endorse the recent resolution passed by the TPC on October 4, which sparked controversy, notably due to the involvement of advisors accused of corruption.
Edgard Leblanc Fils began his address by painting a grim picture of the current situation in Haiti. He mentioned the escalating violence in the Artibonite region, the disrupted school year depriving thousands of children of education, and the mass deportations of Haitians by the Dominican Republic. Faced with these challenges, he stressed the importance of restoring citizens’ trust in state institutions and asserted that the Council could no longer ignore the corruption allegations against some of its members.
Since the publication of the report by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), Leblanc believes that the situation has become intolerable for the TPC’s image and credibility. This report exposed misconduct involving three advisors—Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles—accused of soliciting bribes. Edgard Leblanc Fils reiterated that he remains true to his principles and would never serve alongside individuals involved in corrupt activities. His decision was reinforced by the damning findings of the ULCC, which recommended legal action against the implicated advisors.
Leblanc also criticized the resolution passed by the TPC on October 4, which aimed to amend the May 7, 2024 resolution by introducing changes to the Council’s decision-making process. This amendment, signed by six advisors, including those implicated in the National Credit Bank (NCB) scandal, exposed deep divisions within the governing body. Leblanc refused to approve it, arguing that it undermines the transparency and integrity of the TPC—values he holds dear.
The scandal surrounding the NCB and the involvement of some TPC members has led to calls for concrete action. Political figures such as Sorel Jacinthe and André Michel, along with other influential leaders, have recently demanded the resignation of the implicated advisors, labeling them as obstacles to the transition process. In their view, the failure to act against these advisors contradicts the transition agreement and the consensus signed in Jamaica in March 2024.