‘CPT must go’,Haitians say as costly and failed council nears end of mandate

PORT-AU-PRINCE — As Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) enters the final days of its mandate, political parties, civil society groups and ordinary citizens are intensifying calls for its departure, describing the council as costly, corrupt and incapable of addressing the country’s deepening crisis.

Several political groups have boycotted CPT-led discussions aimed at defining a framework for the post–Feb. 7 period, arguing that the council lacks the credibility to mediate a transition or justify any extension of its mandate.

“The contract is over; there will be no renewal,” former Sen. Jean Renel Sénatus said at a Jan. 22 press conference after refusing to attend the council’s talks. “We have already agreed that the transition will continue with a president from the Court of Cassation to ensure neutral governance.”

Speaking on behalf of parties within the Grand Bloc du Peuple—French for “People’s Great Bloc”—Sénatus said the CPT cannot act as both referee and player in negotiations over its own future. His position mirrors that of the G10, a coalition of political parties led by former Prime Minister Jean-Michel Lapin, which also rejected the CPT’s invitation.

Lapin told Magik9 radio on Jan. 19 that the council’s initiative came too late and warned against any attempt to reshuffle or shrink the CPT. “We cannot return to an exercise that could lead to a council reduced to three members,” he said, reiterating calls for a bicephalic transitional government— a president and prime minister — as provided for in the Constitution.

A transition widely viewed as a failure

Discussions began Jan. 18 to shape a pathway to the post–Feb. 7 period. The talks led five CPT members to consider dismissing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, a move some political actors said was necessary to continue dialogue. The effort, however, drew sharp international pushback, particularly from the United States, which sanctioned CPT members and a minister involved in the move, citing the need to respect the transition timeline.

The CPT was created under an April 3, 2024, political agreement, following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Its mandate was clear: restore security, organize elections, revive the economy, and oversee constitutional and institutional reforms.

Nearly two years later, critics say none of those goals has been met.

Since April 2024, Haiti has held no national elections. The economy has continued to contract, entering a seventh consecutive year of recession in 2025. At the same time, the security situation has worsened sharply, marked by mass killings, expanding territorial gang control and record levels of displacement.

More than 8,000 people were killed between 2024 and 2025, according to the United Nations. At least  33 police officers died during the same period, according to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH). Over 1.4 million people have been displaced, while more than 5.7 million face acute food insecurity.

Meanwhile, gangs control dozens of neighborhoods, including at least 25 in Port-au-Prince, according to a 2025 report by the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH).

Limited actions, little impact, corruption allegations and missing oversight

Supporters of the CPT point to some measures taken during its mandate, including the belated establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the reopening of the Port of Saint-Jean du Sud and the Les Cayes airport in the South, and the deployment of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission approved by the United Nations in October 2023.

But critics argue that those actions came too late or failed to produce meaningful improvement.

The Steering Committee of the National Conference, provided for under the April 3 agreement, was established but dissolved within months. Funds and time were wasted on drafting unpopular constitutional proposals that ultimately led to no referendum being held.

“The CPT is ending its mandate without having achieved any of the objectives assigned to it,” said former deputy Déus Deronneth during a Jan. 21 national security symposium. “If no agreement is reached, then by Feb. 8 all members of the government must resign.”

Criticism of the CPT has also been fueled by corruption allegations. Three council members — Emmanuel Vertilaire, Louis Gérald Gilles and Smith Augustin — were implicated in abuse-of-power and corruption cases, according to Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit.

Oversight bodies mandated by the April 3 agreement were never established, including the National Security Council, the government oversight body (OCAG) and the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. The agreement itself was never officially published.

In April 2025, RNDDH reported that CPT members cost the Haitian state approximately $8.3 million annually. Each councilor receives about $77,000 per month in total compensation, along with holiday bonuses ranging from $23,000 to $38,000.

“They govern alone, spend excessively and lead lavish lifestyles,” RNDDH said, “while Haiti remains mired in crisis.”

Ronmdy Jean-Louis, a mechanic living in Delmas, agrees that the CPT costs the country an enormous amount of money without delivering concrete results.

 “Well, they won’t fix anything for us, so let them leave; they are truly useless to the country,” Jean-Louis said.

Public anger and calls for a new approach

Frustration with the CPT extends well beyond political parties.

“We needed security and the reopening of roads,” said Pétrus Lérice, a public transport worker. “Since they delivered nothing, they must leave.”

Wesner Alciné, a graduating social work student, described the CPT as a waste of time. “They never manage to agree on serious decisions, and the country keeps collapsing,” he said.

Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said it warned early on that the transition was failing.

“It’s the security we expected from the CPT, which betrayed the Haitian people,” the party said in a statement. “Fanmi Lavalas’ coffee does not flow with betrayal,” the Aristide party concluded to distance itself from the council, in which Lesly Voltaire, its designated representative, is a key figure. 

As Feb. 7 approaches, proposals for a post-CPT framework continue to multiply. Civil society groups are calling for stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent future mismanagement.

“We propose a transitional oversight chamber to stop the plundering of public resources and ensure funds are directed toward security and elections,” said the December 4 Collective.

Voices in the diaspora have also weighed in. In an open letter to President Donald J. Trump, dated Jan. 27, singer Lord Kinomorsa “King Kino” Divers urged the United States to support inclusive dialogue, institutional reforms and sustainable development in Haiti.

With no consensus yet in sight, Haiti once again faces a familiar dilemma: the risk of a political vacuum unfolding with a humanitarian and security emergency that continues to deepen.

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