Tensions within the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) appear to have reached a critical point. In an official letter addressed to the Council’s Coordinator, Fritz Alphonse Jean, the councilors Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles—the three so-called “hijackers” of the TPC—firmly reiterated the operational rules governing the transitional body’s leadership, implicitly denouncing irregularities in the conduct of Council of Ministers meetings.
According to the document, the signatories emphasize that Article 11.1 of the decree dated May 27, 2024, clearly stipulates that the TPC Coordinator, assisted by other members, presides over the Council of Ministers. However, they stress that decisions made without a quorum are invalid. Article 15.1 of the same decree requires the presence of at least five voting members for TPC decisions to be legally binding. Additionally, a qualified majority of five out of seven members (5/7) is required for any major decision, as stipulated in Article 21 combined with point 4.i of the resolution dated May 7, 2024.
The members explicitly demand that the Coordinator adhere to these rules, warning that failure to do so could result in decisions being declared null, irregular, or legally void. This procedural reminder reflects a growing crisis of confidence among TPC members, fueled by internal gridlock, political rivalries, and accusations of unilateral governance. As the country navigates a period of significant instability, this toxic atmosphere within the very institution meant to lead the transition raises fears of the Council’s implosion, jeopardizing the entire ongoing political process.
