I Am Not Giving Up, But I Am Exhausted

As I write this, I see my beloved Haiti still teetering on the edge of a precipice. Our people cry out for personal safety and food security, while our political elite dither and squabble over power and wealth. They are "fiddling while Haiti burns."

The Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), created to navigate our political crisis, has instead deepened our despair by failing to uphold basic principles of transparency and accountability. They are betraying the hope and aspiration that Haitians, both at home and abroad, have clung to for far too long. The CPT is emblematic of everything that is wrong with Haiti and is unworthy of our nation's legacy.

Prime Minister (PM) Garry Conille's administration is making its share of mistakes, and in some ways, the same ones as former PM Ariel Henry. His administration seems hesitant and often unclear about its mission, which is primarily security. Still, PM Conille has a small but closing quickly window to seize this moment and enact bold, transformative leadership. Otherwise, he risks becoming yet another footnote in our troubled history. Meanwhile, others, particularly those advocating for a member of the Supreme Court to lead yet another transition, are preparing for their turn to take power—without any clearer plans or paths to tackle the country's problems.

The CPT's Betrayal: A Symptom of Our Deeper Malaise

In my previous writings, I held out hope for the CPT as a potential path forward for Haiti. However, we have all watched with growing dismay as this council, born from the April 3rd Accord facilitated by Caricom, has failed to provide the leadership we so desperately need.

From its inception, the council has flagrantly disregarded the very agreement that created it. This isn't just a failure of leadership; it's a betrayal of the Haitian people's trust. At every opportunity, the council members have proven themselves, at best, ineffective, and at worst, the embodiment of everything wrong with Haiti's politics.

For example, the CPT has refused to adhere to the Declaration of Patrimony, a fundamental requirement for transparency in public office. This blatant disregard for accountability is not just unethical; it's a slap in the face to everyone who dared to hope for a more transparent government.

We were all equally shocked and appalled when the CPT unilaterally removed the Government Action Control Body (OCAG) from the final publication of the accord. This oversight mechanism was meant to be a crucial check on the council's power. Its removal wasn't just a procedural misstep; it was a deliberate attempt to operate without scrutiny, further eroding our already fragile public trust. The result is that the council members, without any oversight, are now accused of all sorts of misappropriations.

On all three points—transparency, accountability, and genuine engagement with Haitians both in Haiti and abroad—the council has failed.

A Mirror to Our Societal Fractures

As we reflect on these failures, it becomes clear that they are not isolated incidents but reflections of deeper fissures within our society. We have watched with growing frustration over the past few weeks as various sectors—reformed religions, peasants, Vodou practitioners, and women—failed to select representatives for the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). This inability of civil society to deliberate and find representatives is a stark reminder of our dysfunction. The CEP, crucial for organizing fair elections, requires diverse representation to ensure all voices are heard. Yet, our inability to come together to create this vital institution speaks volumes about our societal divisions. It also does not bode well for the next phases in the process.

Given these challenges, it's likely that future elections will be contested, potentially perpetuating the vicious cycle of political instability. Many will undoubtedly complain about international interference in Haiti's internal affairs. However, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: these divisions are not the result of foreign meddling. They stem from our inability to overcome our differences—even during the worst crisis our country has ever experienced. The dysfunction within our civil society in selecting representatives for the CPT is a microcosm of our broader crisis of governance and societal cohesion.

Prime Minister Conille: A Moment of Reckoning

Prime Minister Garry Conille now stands at a crossroads, with the weight of Haiti's future on his shoulders. He is experienced, as this is his second time serving as PM. Yet, while his cautious approach to the CPT may have been well-intentioned, it is no longer justifiable. The time for diplomatic niceties has passed; the moment demands bold, decisive action. Despite being well-prepared for this role, broken promises have led to comparisons between him and Ariel Henry, one of the worst PMs Haiti has ever had.

The saying goes, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant," and it turns out that this may be the best option for PM Conille. It is high time for him to flood the dark corners of our governance with light. I have called on Prime Minister Conille to prioritize transparency and accountability, not as lofty ideals but as concrete actions. I do so again. PM Conille must throw caution to the wind. Otherwise, he risks becoming complicit in the CPT's failures.

Nonetheless, his administration has made its share of mistakes. Two particularly trouble me:

1.???????? The Marginalization of Our Diaspora: The Minister of Haitians Living Abroad has shown an appalling disregard for our brothers and sisters outside Haiti—the diaspora—squandering a vital resource for our nation's revival.

2.???????? Misguided Budget Cuts: In the face of our ongoing security crisis, the reduction in funding for the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FADH) was unnecessary but worse, it was short-sighted and signaled that security is not the priority.

The Path Forward: Our Collective Responsibility

The failures of the CPT and the challenges facing Prime Minister Conille are symptoms of a larger issue: our collective reluctance to take responsibility for Haiti's future. We cannot continue to blame external forces for our internal divisions. The time has come for us, as Haitians, to look inward and ask ourselves: Are we truly committed to the hard work of nation-building?

To Prime Minister Conille, I say this: The eyes of Haiti and the world are upon you. Will you rise to the occasion and be remembered as the leader who took a stand against corruption and impunity? Or will you allow caution to be your legacy, joining the long list of leaders who could have made a difference but didn't?

To my fellow Haitians, I confess with a heavy heart: This is one of the rare times when I feel not just exhausted but also at a loss for what to do. Our political leaders seem to purposely choose the worst of any paths ahead as if guided by some perverse instinct to avoid progress. I've come to realize that Haiti's cancer of corruption and impunity will not be cured by half-measures. It will require treatments as aggressive as surgery and radiation therapy.

Despite my exhaustion, I believe we must take action. We need to address the root causes of our nation's struggles: the lack of transparency in governance, the divisions within our society, and the marginalization of vital resources like our diaspora. We must also prioritize security and stability as the foundation for any meaningful progress.

To this end, I propose the following steps:

1.???????? Actively engage in civic processes at the local level and in the diaspora.

2.???????? Demand transparency from all levels of government.

3.???????? Build bridges across our societal divides to foster unity and understanding.

4.???????? Support initiatives that promote national unity and development.

Even in my exhaustion, I am not giving up. We cannot afford to be passive observers in our own story. Each of us must play a part in holding our leaders accountable and working toward a united, prosperous Haiti. The path ahead is challenging, but the alternative—continued instability and suffering—is unacceptable. Let us commit, here and now, to the difficult but necessary work of rebuilding our nation. Our future depends on it.

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