Senior CPT Member Warns Government Change Risks Deepening Haiti’s Political Instability

In a formal letter dated January 23, 2026, Conseiller-Président Smith Augustin urges urgent consultations within Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, cautioning that a government change without prior consensus could weaken state institutions and national sovereignty.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 26, 2026|Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A senior member of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (Conseil Présidentiel de Transition, CPT) has publicly raised concerns over a recent decision by the council’s majority to pursue a change in government, warning that the move could further destabilize the country if not preceded by a broad political agreement.

In a formal letter dated January 23, 2026, addressed to CPT President Laurent Saint-Cyr, Conseiller-Président Smith Augustin confirmed that on January 21 a majority of CPT members signed a resolution calling for a change at the government level. According to Augustin, the decision was framed as collective in nature and intended to respond to demands from various sectors of Haitian society that view such a change as a prerequisite for a national accord.

Despite acknowledging those pressures, Augustin expressed deep reservations about the timing and process of the decision. He warned that moving forward without a prior political agreement risks exacerbating internal divisions within the transition, further weakening already fragile state institutions, and placing additional strain on Haiti’s national sovereignty.

“Rather than preparing the country for stability at the end of our mandate,” Augustin wrote, the decision could contribute to internal fragmentation and undermine the foundations of the state.

Citing these concerns, the Conseiller-Président formally requested that the CPT president urgently convene a consultation meeting among council members. He argued that such a meeting is necessary to rebuild a minimum level of consensus, reduce political tensions, and work toward a broader political agreement in a calmer climate.

Augustin emphasized that any political process should prioritize national pacification, political stability, institutional continuity, and the organization of credible, free, and transparent elections in accordance with the current electoral calendar.

He concluded his letter by reaffirming his willingness to work alongside his colleagues in pursuit of what he described as a vital objective for the nation, underscoring his continued commitment to the transitional process despite his concerns.

The letter highlights growing internal differences within Haiti’s transitional leadership at a critical moment, as the country continues to navigate security challenges, political uncertainty, and preparations for elections.

Sources

• Official letter from the Conseil Présidentiel de Transition, Cabinet Particulier du Conseiller-Président Smith Augustin, dated January 23, 2026

• République d’Haïti – Palais National documentation