Haiti’s National Palace: A Symbol of Chaos and Corruption
Haiti’s National Palace was wrecked in the earthquake of 2010, and the government has been in various forms of chaos ever since.
Corruption Scandal Rocks Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council
On Wednesday, Haiti’s Unit for Combating Corruption made public a damning report accusing three members of the country’s transitional presidential council of attempted bribery.
Haiti’s transitional council is supposed to be a nonpartisan body set up to ensure continuity of governance, stabilize the country, and oversee the organization of new elections at a time when there is no elected government in place.
While bribery is hardly something new within the political and business culture of Haiti, nonetheless this is a development that could jeopardize the nation’s fragile plans to move towards reestablishing itself as an electoral democracy.
The report from the Unit for Combating Corruption names Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles, accusing them of soliciting over 100 million Haitian gourdes ($750,000) from the director of the state-owned National Bank of Credit in exchange for allowing him to keep his job.
The named trio have strongly denied the accusations, and two have filed defamation lawsuits in response.
The Kickback Claims
The kickback claims became public last month when the bank’s director, Raoul Pierre-Louis, sent a letter to Prime Minister Garry Conille requesting increased security for himself and his family. In the letter, he outlined the demands allegedly made by the council members during a meeting on May 25.
Shortly after that, the government’s Anti-Corruption Unit launched the present investigation.
Last week, after Pierre-Louis had presented his version of events to the Anti-Corruption Unit, he received a notice from Prime Minister Conille informing him that he had been removed from his position and replaced by a commission.
Pierre-Louis, through his attorney replied that this decision was completely illegal, arguing that such actions are normally only used when there are allegations of banks being mismanaged.
Consequences of the Scandal
The scandal has triggered significant political turmoil in Haiti, where the council has been linked to various controversies since its inception.
Members have been accused of misappropriating the National Palace’s intelligence funds and seeking kickbacks from influential private sector figures and heads of government agencies in exchange for allowing them to retain their posts during the country’s ongoing transition.
The unnamed director of another agency confirmed to a Miami Herald reporter back in July that he had been approached by someone associated with a council member, requesting nearly $300,000 to secure his position.
Conclusion
The corruption scandal surrounding Haiti’s transitional presidential council has sent shockwaves through the country, threatening to undermine the fragile progress made towards reestablishing democracy.
The international community is closely watching the situation, as the fate of Haiti’s future hangs in the balance.
FAQs
* Who is accused of bribery in the scandal?
+ Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles, members of Haiti’s transitional presidential council.
* What is the alleged bribe amount?
+ Over 100 million Haitian gourdes ($750,000) from the director of the state-owned National Bank of Credit.
* What is the current status of the investigation?
+ The government’s Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the allegations, and several individuals have been accused and denied the claims.
* What are the potential consequences of the scandal?
+ The scandal could jeopardize Haiti’s fragile plans to move towards reestablishing itself as an electoral democracy, and potentially lead to further political instability.