By Emmanuel Marino Bruno, Alterpresse, Jan. 13, 2025
In a statement by Leslie Voltaire published on his X account, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, the Presidential Transitional Council (TPC) condemns the "unacceptable" alliance between political parties and the criminal coalition of armed gangs Viv Ansanm.
Voltaire sees this as an act that threatens the Republic of Haiti. A decision that betrays the memory of the thousands of victims of criminal acts and undermines the sovereignty of Haiti.
"By acting in this way, these political parties have deviated from republican principles. They will have to answer for this before the courts and our fellow citizens," he said, while also calling on the nation's vital forces to support the TPC's efforts in the face of these abuses.
"The Republic of Haiti is being tested, but it will remain standing. Together, we will defend the law and honor."
This condemnation of the TPC follows the assertions of the president of the Haitian Party Tèt Kale (PHTK) Liné Balthazar, who said Viv Ansanm would participate in a meeting at CARICOM.
The Viv Ansanm gang coalition is said to be among several political and civil society forces, including Force Louverturienne, which support the option of the Court of Cassation to replace the TPC, Balthazar said during an interview on Friday, January 10, 2025, on Radio Magik 9.
The political parties EDE and the December 21 Accord, 2022 were among the political organizations involved in the negotiations.
"No negotiations with the gangs! This is our position of principle!", SDP leader and the December 21 Accord spokesperson Michel André posted to his X account, saying he expects concrete actions from TPC.
In a prerecorded video viewed by Alterpresse, Voltaire said "Today, another earthquake is sweeping through the country, namely the earthquake of insecurity" with the burning of houses, pharmacies, libraries, the destruction of hospitals and schools, deplored.
"This earthquake has caused more than 10,000 victims, more than a million people traumatized. The airport in Port-au-Prince is closed. The port is also in difficulty. This means that there are 6 million Haitians facing famine", Voltaire continued.
The President of the TPC promises to pacify Haiti in this year 2025, while giving the guarantee that the ports, roads, and airports will be reopened, with a view to organizing elections to result in a legitimate government.
During the ceremony, Voltaire took the opportunity to welcome the graduation, on Friday, January 10, 2025, of 213 female police officers and 526 male police officers, to help fight crime in Haiti.
Voltaire encouraged national police officers to make the law their only compass, in a speech for the occasion.,
He reiterated the transition team's commitment to restoring security and stability in Haiti, to allow the free movement of people and goods on the national territory and the holding of a referendum on the Constitution as well as general elections.
Translated and edited for clarity by CHIP editors
Posted Jan. 17, 2025