By Realite Info, Feb. 17, 2026
The Steering Committee of the Assembly of Signatories of the August 30, 2021 Accord, known as the Montana Accord, has released two open letters addressed respectively to the Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, and to the United States Senate.
In these letters dated February 16, 2026, the Haitian political structure denounces what it calls "foreign diplomatic and political interference" in the management of the transition in Haiti and calls for strict respect for national sovereignty.
In its letters, the Committee states that it is acting "neither as a petitioner nor as an adversary," but as a representative of "a nation heir to a long tradition of resistance." The text recalls the major milestones in Haitian history, notably the independence of 1804 and the indemnity imposed on Haiti in 1825, the economic and social consequences of which, according to the signatories, continue to weigh heavily on the country.
Regarding the United States, the letter also refers to the period of American occupation from 1915 to 1934, under the administration of President Woodrow Wilson, a period during which the Haitian Parliament was dissolved and a new Constitution imposed. The signatories specifically cite the massacre at Les Cayes on December 6, 1929, as a symbol of the abuses of that era.
The authors clarify, however, that this is not, in their view, a discourse of resentment, but a historical reminder intended to avoid the repetition of past mistakes.
At the heart of the concerns expressed is the current political situation in Haiti. The Committee states that it has "consistent information" indicating diplomatic pressure aimed at influencing the retention or replacement of government officials who have neither an elected mandate nor national consensus.
The letter addressed to the US Senate specifically names the US chargé d'affaires in Haiti, who is accused of pressuring Haitian officials to prevent the dismissal of former Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
The signatories believe that such practices, if proven, would contravene the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in particular Article 41, which prohibits any interference in the internal affairs of the receiving State.
They also invoked the principles enshrined by the Organization of American States, in particular the right of peoples to self-determination and the prohibition of any direct or indirect intervention in the internal affairs of a state.
Another point raised was the alleged presence of foreign private security actors operating on Haitian territory. The Committee stated that any such deployment, in the absence of a transparent legal framework and effective democratic oversight, raises serious concerns under international human rights law and constitutes a violation of national sovereignty.
In its letter to Pierre Poilievre, the Committee calls on the Canadian Parliament to ensure respect for Canada's international commitments, particularly regarding non-intervention and the sovereign equality of States.
In the US Senate, the signatories explicitly request:
- The opening of investigations into the conduct of the American diplomatic mission in Haiti;
- An official clarification on any form of support for unelected leaders;
- The reaffirmation of the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.
The correspondence is addressed to both members of the majority, under the chairmanship of Senator James E. Risch, and those of the minority, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
While declaring itself committed to dialogue and international cooperation, the Steering Committee of the Montana Agreement affirms that it will "never compromise on national sovereignty, the dignity of the Haitian people and their inalienable right to freely decide their future."
These open letters come amid a persistent security and institutional crisis in Haiti, where the legitimacy of the transitional authorities remains central to political debate. They reflect a deliberate intention to bring the debate to the international level and to directly challenge North American political actors on their role and responsibilities in the evolving situation in Haiti.
Posted April 10, 2026