As international actors demand credible leadership in Haiti, the OAS warns that rushing into elections without restoring security and legitimacy will only deepen the nation’s crisis.
By Haitian Pulse Editorial Team
May 22, 2025
The international pressure on Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) has intensified sharply following a powerful statement by Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). In a firm yet diplomatically delivered critique, Ramdin declared that "Haiti cannot go to elections in the midst of chaos." His remarks, echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscore a growing consensus among global actors: the CPT must go, and credible leadership must emerge before the country can rebuild democratically.
A Call to Pause Elections—Until There’s Legitimacy
At the heart of Ramdin’s statement lies a clear warning: elections held under the current conditions risk further destabilization and will lack legitimacy. While the CPT is pushing for constitutional reforms and preparing electoral frameworks, the OAS insists that Haiti must first reestablish a functioning and trusted executive body. “We cannot talk about elections when there is no justice, no security, and no credible authority,” Ramdin noted.
This isn’t just a policy stance—it’s a call for Haitian leaders and international stakeholders to face the hard truth: that elections, no matter how well planned, cannot mask the absence of good governance and national cohesion.
Mismanagement and Lavish Spending Amid Crisis
Adding to the mounting criticism are reports of gross mismanagement by the CPT. One of the most glaring examples was the allocation of over 400 million gourdes for the May 18 festivities—an astronomical sum in a country where public servants are still striking over unpaid wages and where basic public services are collapsing.
This tone-deaf display of excess has sparked public outrage. Many Haitians see it as symbolic of a larger issue: a governing council increasingly disconnected from the suffering of ordinary people and seemingly indifferent to the country’s urgent need for relief, security, and order.
Time for a New Beginning
For many observers, both in Haiti and abroad, the writing is on the wall. The CPT, initially seen as a temporary solution to a constitutional crisis, has now become part of the problem. The lack of transparency, accountability, and tangible progress has eroded any remaining public trust.
According to Ramdin, what Haiti needs now is not just elections—but a credible, stable, and capable transitional government that can restore rule of law, ensure security, and earn the confidence of both Haitians and the international community.
A Global Responsibility
The OAS, along with key partners like the United States, has signaled its readiness to support Haiti—but on condition that local leaders prioritize real solutions over symbolic gestures. Without a credible foundation, any electoral process will merely reproduce instability.
This is a pivotal moment for Haiti. Whether the CPT accepts this verdict and steps aside peacefully may very well determine the country's immediate trajectory—toward renewal or further collapse.
The Haitian Pulse will continue to monitor this evolving story as Haiti stands at a historic crossroads.
📎 Read the original editorial: Alternance Media – Le CPT doit partir
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