December 23, 2024
Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille recently responded to a letter from Leslie Voltaire, President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), who had called for a cabinet reshuffle following what he deemed to be a negative evaluation of the government’s performance. In his reply, Conille expressed surprise and questioned Voltaire’s interpretation of their discussions held on October 15.
Conille clarified that during this meeting, there was no mention of evaluating the first four months of his government, as Voltaire had suggested. He reminded Voltaire that the TPC had been invited to a public presentation of the government’s first 100 days in office, but did not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Furthermore, Conille stated that the issues raised by Voltaire in his letter, such as the composition of the ministerial cabinet and the management of several portfolios by a single minister, were not discussed during their meeting.
In response to Voltaire’s critiques of the government’s performance, Garry Conille emphasized that the government and the TPC function as a collective entity, and that any criticism of the government also affects the Council. He reminded Voltaire that the executive’s image is collective, and weaknesses in one part impact the other.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to ask the TPC to follow up on several requests that, according to him, had gone unanswered. These requests involve the appointment of officials in public institutions, the review of the Provisional Electoral Council, and the creation of a national security support fund. Conille believes these matters are essential for enabling the state to meet public expectations and to ensure the institutional continuity needed for the ongoing political transition.
Conille reiterated that the reduction of public spending had been agreed upon and accepted by the TPC during previous discussions. If the Council is now questioning this decision, he stated his willingness to revisit the topic.
Finally, the Prime Minister stressed that any changes within the government must result from a rigorous assessment and must comply with the requirements of the amended 1987 Constitution and the terms of the April 3, 2024, political agreement. He expressed hope that the weekly meetings coordinated by Leslie Voltaire would continue to serve as a constructive platform for advancing the transition and achieving set objectives, particularly the organization of general elections by the end of 2025.
With this response, Garry Conille underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and the TPC to ensure a successful transition and address the challenges facing the country.