Former President Jocelerme Privert
Port-au-Prince, January 27, 2026.- Invited on the air of Magik 9, the former President of the Republic, Jocelerme Privert, delivered an analysis of the current political crisis. Referring to constitutional deadlines, the organization of elections, security and collusion between political actors and armed groups, he said that the instability of Haiti was not a matter of the Constitution or political culture, but rather of the behaviour of the leaders who refused to apply the rules they invoked.
Respecting constitutional deadlines: a historical illusion
According to Jocelerme Privert, the Haitian Constitution, both in its original version and in its amended version, provides for precise time limits ranging from 60 to 120 days to hold presidential elections in case of a vacancy of the executive power. However, it recalls that none of these deadlines has ever been met since 1990, not by default, but by institutional incapacity.
For the former Head of State, the fulfilment of these deadlines requires essential conditions:
the existence of a permanent Electoral Council;
a stable electoral law;
and above all a functioning government capable of ensuring the continuity of the state.
However, these prerequisites are systematically lacking.
Government stability and electoral logic
In the current context, while an election decree sets the date of the elections on 30 August and an Electoral Council is already working, Jocelerme Privert wonders about the relevance of causing further government instability.
« Ce n’est pas chaque vacance présidentielle qui doit automatiquement entraîner un changement de gouvernement « , insiste-t-il, estimant qu’une telle logique compromet davantage l’organisation crédible des élections.
The 1987 Constitution: longevity and misapplication
Looking at recurrent criticism of the Mother Law, Privert recalls that the 1987 Constitution, nearly 39 years old, is the most lasting in Haitian constitutional history. As a human work, it can be amended, but it cannot be held responsible for political drifts.
« La Constitution n’est pas le problème. Le problème, c’est notre incapacité à gouverner selon ses exigences « , tranche-t-il.
He cites in particular the period 2010-2016, during which no election was held for nearly six years, despite the existence of a clear constitutional framework.
Insecurity, armed gangs and political responsibilities
Turning to the security issue, the former President recalled that the presence of armed groups was not a new phenomenon. He referred in particular to the armed attacks of May 2016, which occurred while in power, but which had not prevented the holding of elections a few months later.
According to him, the growing arrogance of gangs in recent years is mainly due to their collusion with political actors, a reality now openly denounced by the international community, including the United States, which envisage targeted sanctions against the politicians involved.
Call for a break with armed groups
For Jocelerme Privert, the return to calm requires a clear and collective decision:
political leaders must distance themselves from armed groups and fully assume their historic responsibilities.
« Si nous voulons la sécurité et la stabilité, il faut rompre sans ambiguïté avec ces forces de chaos « , conclut-il.
W.A.
