“First of all, I would like to emphasize that this decision directly contravenes both the Constitution and the texts that govern the transition period,” Conille stressed in an open letter.
Article 158 of the Constitution establishes that the prime minister is accountable before the Parliament, and that only a resignation or a motion of censure by that legislative body can lead to the termination of his functions, he recalled.
In no case, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), even within the framework of its functions, can replace Parliament or exercise any power that has not been attributed to it, Conille noted.
Although the CPT has the prerogative to appoint the prime minister, there is no legal text that grants it the power to dismiss him, he explained.
The Agreement of April 3 and the Decree of May 27, 2024, which organize the transition, define the governance procedures, in no way allow the CPT to terminate the functions of the Prime Minister unilaterally, he emphasized.
The CPT’s decision is an abuse of power and a confiscation that undermines the fundamental principles of democracy, Conille affirmed in his letter, published in the Haiti Libre newspaper.
“I firmly believe that the only way out of the current crisis is to respect the Agreement of April 3, 2024, which allowed the establishment of this transitional government, and which is based on the principles of dialogue, consultation and shared responsibility, Conille said.
“Any attempt at institutional destabilization at this very moment is nothing more than a maneuver that further weakens our country and seriously compromises our chances of overcoming this crisis,” he stressed.
jg/ool/joe