Port-au-Prince — The installation of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as Haiti’s prime minister is fuelling political and constitutional debate, after former West department senator Patrice Dumont alleged that the appointment was driven by foreign influence rather than domestic institutional procedure.
Speaking in response to a question from a Rezo Nòdwès journalist, Dumont questioned the scope of authority held by the head of government under Haiti’s constitutional framework. “Who will convene the people to the polls, according to the traditional formula?” he asked, arguing that Haiti’s 1987 constitution reserves the authority to convoke the electorate exclusively to the president of the republic. Dumont also raised concerns about electoral neutrality, noting that Fils-Aimé is associated with a political party.
Dumont further claimed that the appointment was externally orchestrated. “It was the American ambassador Rooster who appointed Fils-Aimé as prime minister,” he said, adding that instructions were allegedly transmitted to Haiti’s police leadership to recognise Fils-Aimé’s authority, including directives relayed to police official Vladimir Paraison. The allegation underscores long-standing sensitivities within Haiti regarding sovereignty and external political influence.
Framing his remarks around national priorities, Dumont questioned what he described as the dominance of US strategic interests in decision-making affecting Haiti. He issued what he called a solemn appeal to Haitian society — particularly youth, workers, students, schoolchildren and educators — urging mobilisation in defence of national interests. “Even if the country is on its knees, we cannot accept this situation. The time has come to say: enough is enough,” he said.
Dumont also criticised former Transitional Presidential Council member Leslie Voltaire, accusing him of seeking to position himself within another institutional structure after months in the transition body. According to Dumont, such moves risk undermining public confidence in the neutrality required to organise credible elections, particularly as authorities continue to present security and electoral preparations as top national priorities.
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