PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC — Fritz Alphonse Jean, consultant of the Montana Accord, was formally sworn in as president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) on Friday, March 7, 2025, succeeding Leslie Voltaire from the Fanmi Lavalas political social gathering, whose five-month tenure was overshadowed by worsening safety situations. The handover ceremony at Villa d’Accueil in Musseau, Port-au-Prince, was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and authorities officers.
Jean is a consultant of the Montana Accord. The Accord is an method proposed in August 2021 by the Fee for a Seek for a Haitian Answer to the Disaster, a gaggle of civic, non secular, and political organizations and leaders that assembled after the assassination of Jovenel Moise left Haiti with out a head of state.
The Accord’s important provisions name for a provisional authorities to exchange interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry and maintain elections.
The committee, referred to as the Montana Group as a result of it held its planning conferences on the Montana Resort in Port-au-Prince, later named Fritz Jean president of the provisional authorities.
Jean’s appointment follows that of Voltaire, who was appointed in October 2024 and confronted escalating gang violence that crippled his administration’s efforts.
However in his farewell speech, Voltaire defended his management, highlighting key measures taken beneath his tenure, which included the deployment of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H) in Vertières, Northern Division, a rise in police personnel, and reinforcements from the Multinational Safety Assist Mission (MSS).
“Over the previous 5 months, police numbers have elevated, and navy reinforcements are on the way in which,” Voltaire mentioned.
But, armed gangs expanded their management over key areas within the West and Artibonite departments…. We aren’t happy. There may be nonetheless a lot to be accomplished to make sure safety and defend lives and property,” Voltaire mentioned.
In the meantime, Jean has vowed a extra aggressive method to tackling Haiti’s safety disaster.
“Our nation is at struggle immediately,” Jean declared throughout his official speech. “We’d like a war-adjusted funds to mobilize assets and restore safety.”
His key safety measures embody recruiting 3,000 extra police and navy personnel, increasing aerial and maritime surveillance to strengthen border safety, and activating the Nationwide Intelligence Company to enhance coordination between safety forces.
Jean additionally emphasised a crackdown on corruption, pledging to strengthen oversight establishments, together with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) and the Superior Court docket of Accounts and Administrative Litigation (CSCCA).
He additional introduced the creation of a public hotline for residents to report abuses inside authorities companies, together with Immigration, Customs and Basic Tax Directorate (DGI).
“Corruption is fueling this Disaster. Strengthening our establishments is crucial for nationwide stability,” the brand new CPT president mentioned.
Regardless of the pressing safety and financial challenges, Jean reaffirmed that holding elections stays the CPT’s prime precedence.
“Our main purpose stays holding elections as scheduled on Feb. 7, 2026,” he mentioned.
Jean, now the third president of the CPT in lower than a 12 months because the establishment’s set up, will lead till Aug. 7, 2025. Then, he’ll hand over energy to Laurent Saint-Cyr, who will set up Haiti’s long-awaited elections.
These alternate appointments had been agreed upon in accordance with an settlement voted by the CPT members final 12 months.
