In a significant development within Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil, former Prime Minister Jean Henry Céant has formally opposed the mediation efforts proposed by Bishop Pierre André Dumas. The controversy emerged after Bishop Dumas, Vice-President of the Haitian Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne, agreed to lead mediation efforts to prevent potential chaos following the Transitional Council’s mandate expiration on February 7, 2026.
Céant, who served as Haiti’s acting Prime Minister and currently faces Canadian sanctions, expressed his position through a strongly worded letter dated January 11, 2026. The document, addressed directly to Bishop Dumas and copied to multiple Haitian institutions, outlines Céant’s profound concerns regarding the bishop’s suitability as a neutral mediator.
The former Prime Minister, identifying himself as a practicing Catholic and former Economic Advisor to the Catholic Church, expressed astonishment and dismay at the bishop’s involvement. Céant referenced a previous incident on March 9, 2024, when Bishop Dumas co-signed a document condemning sanctioned citizens without prior trial, creating what Céant described as a ‘painful rupture’ within the Church community.
While acknowledging the necessity of mediation in crisis situations, Céant questioned Bishop Dumas’ ability to maintain the neutrality, moral integrity, and detachment essential for credible mediation. The former leader suggested that the bishop’s past political positions effectively place him among stakeholders rather than as an impartial mediator.
Céant’s letter appeals to members of the Transitional Council to reject the mediation proposal, characterizing it as exclusionary and potentially damaging to institutional credibility. He urged Bishop Dumas to focus instead on his spiritual role as a pastor and man of prayer rather than engaging in political mediation.
The correspondence concludes with a call for divine guidance during Haiti’s troubled times, maintaining a tone of respect while expressing firm opposition to the bishop’s proposed involvement in the country’s political resolution process.