Haiti’s Transitional Council Fires Prime Minister Garry Conille

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) Sunday announced that it had sacked Prime Minister Garry Conille, in a move seen by political observers to further heighten the existing political and socio-economic situation in the country.

Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was sworn into office in June and fired on Sunday (CMCC Photo)The TPC, headed by  Leslie Voltaire, has signed a decree sacking Conille, who was appointed in May and sworn into office in June this year after the resignation of then prime minister, Dr. Ariel Henry, who was out of the country at the time seeking military assistance in dealing with the criminal gangs in Haiti.   Conille had previously served as prime minister from October 2011 to May 2012 under President Michel Martelly.

The decree, seen by various international news media, is set to be published on Monday. It names businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as Conille replacement.

Political observers note that constitutionally, only the Haitian Parliament can fire a prime minister, and while presidents in the past have done so through political maneuvering, Haiti does not have a functioning Parliament.

Former Justice Minister Bernard Gousse, told local media that Conille’s dismissal was “illegal” because the council was over-extending its powers and because of the corruption allegations levered against them.

On Saturday in an address to a TPC organised forum to support the electoral process on the theme “Challenges and conditions for the success of the referendum and electoral process,” Conille had underscored the importance of harmony between political actors and all other sectors of national life to achieve a successful referendum and electoral process and transfer power on February 7, 2026 to elected officials, in accordance with the Agreement of April 3rd, 2024.
“This Day of exchanges on the challenges and conditions for the success of the referendum and electoral process comes at the right time in the path of the deadlines set for the transition for these two projects.

“Despite the doubt. We have no choice, the Haitian people expect us to fight and win this battle in their name” confirming the availability of almost half of the funding and resources necessary to succeed in the referendum and electoral process, ensuring that all support will be given to the CEP (Provisional Electoral Council) and the Steering Committee of the National Conference on Constitutional Reform, to achieve the desired objectives.”

Conille said that the political process is essential to get Haiti “ut of the impasse we are in.

“ We absolutely must provide this country not only with a new government on February 7, 2026, but also with practical instruments that will allow this government to carry out its work,” he added, highlighting the projects already carried out as part of the implementation of the process, including the Steering Committee. the establishment of the CEP, the assurance of the establishment of financing for certain important stages of the National Conference, the official launch of which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

“These projects send clear signals to politicians : despite the crisis, we are moving towards the elections. We are committed to doing so. And we are going to do so.

“Politicians are invited to participate actively and constructively in the process of dialogue on the Constitution and to prepare to mobilize and raise awareness among the population in order to go to the elections and arrive, once and for all, to break with decades of practices that have led us to the abyss where we are today,”  Conille told the forum.

Earlier this month, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders held talks with Voltaire and  Conille after having earlier expressed concern at the ongoing differences between the Haitian leaders.

In a brief statement following the meeting, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the regional leaders sought “to receive an update on coordination between the interim government and the TPC”.

In September, the regional leaders said they were concerned at the ongoing rift between  Voltaire and Conille, saying “this growing lack of cohesion imperils the transitional process based on the spirit and the principles of compromise, consensus and inclusiveness set out in the Political Agreement of 11 March 2024 in Jamaica and the Political Accord of 3 April 2024 drawn up by the Haitian stakeholders”.

The leaders warned that  this “unseemly and distracting conflict is taking place at a time when the insecurity and humanitarian crises are deteriorating gravely”.

The meeting with the Haitian leaders “follows a series of talks between the Eminent Persons Group with members of the TPC and the interim government”.

The EPG is chaired by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and includes Bruce Golding the former Jamaica prime minister and Perry Christie, the former prime minister of The Bahamas.

“CARICOM continues to actively engage with the Executive leadership of the Republic of Haiti on the advancement of the transitional governance process and continues to support Haitian-led efforts towards the strengthening of Haitian governance mechanisms and preparations for free and fair elections,” the brief CARICOM statement said then.

Voltaire had in a nationwide radio and television broadcast gave a mixed assessment of the first six months of the transition and of the main projects in progress.

His address reviewed the security situation in the French-speaking CARICOM country, the efforts made to improve the judicial system; the management of public finances and the adoption of the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 budgets.

He also spoke about the preparations for the next elections and the reform of the Constitution among others.

Media reports in Haiti said Prime Minister Conille has refused a request by the TPC head to reshuffle the existing cabinet with Voltaire reportedly asking for the removal of the Ministers of  Foreign Affairs, Haitians living abroad, Justice, Planning, Defense, Public Health and Interior.

The former TPC head, Edgard Leblanc Fils, who had opposed Voltaire’s appointment, had refused to sign a decree ratifying the move.

Leblanc Fils had opposed the move to allow for the rotating presidency, citing unresolved corruption accusations against three other councilors who remain voting members and signed off on the transition

Last month, anticorruption investigators accused those three council members of demanding $750,000 in bribes from a government bank director to secure his job.