标签： Haiti

In a landmark move to strengthen Haiti’s governance infrastructure, the State University of Haiti (UEH) and Expertise France have formalized a strategic partnership backed by European Union funding. The agreement, signed at the National Commission for Public Procurement (CNMP) headquarters, establishes comprehensive support for the Chair of Training, Studies, and Research in Public Procurement alongside the Master’s program in Public Procurement, Management, and Governance.

The signing ceremony witnessed high-level participation from European and Haitian officials, including EU Ambassador Hélène Roos, UEH Rector Professor Dieuseul Prédélus, CNMP Coordinator Claude Dalberg, and Professor Adma Dessein of the National Institute of Administration. Multiple regulatory bodies and academic partners also attended the significant event.

Ambassador Roos positioned this initiative within the broader context of the ‘Building Contract 2’ cooperation program, operational since 2017 with projections through 2027. She emphasized that public procurement represents a fundamental mechanism for advancing governance transparency, spending efficiency, and institutional credibility. The EU’s investment in the Master’s program specifically targets capacity-building within Haiti’s public administration, reflecting the conviction that professional skill development is indispensable for constructing a more effective and trustworthy government apparatus.

Rector Prédélus characterized the agreement as demonstrating UEH’s strategic repositioning as a central catalyst for national development. He described the partnership as transcending conventional academic training, instead representing the university’s commitment to addressing Haiti’s practical challenges. Notably, Prédélus framed the program as ‘a powerful weapon against corruption’ that would establish ‘a lasting culture of integrity in public affairs management.’ He directly addressed attending students, challenging them to become transformative agents within Haiti’s public sector modernization.

CNMP Coordinator Claude Dalberg acknowledged the agreement’s potential structural impact on Haitian governance, expressing particular gratitude for the support enabling both the Master’s program and research chair. He articulated hope that this collaboration would mark a new epoch for procurement practices in Haiti while recognizing UEH’s academic leadership in making the chair a center for both education and practical research.

This tripartite collaboration between CNMP, UEH, and the European Union through Expertise France converges institutional expertise, academic knowledge, and international cooperation to establish specialized training and applied research as foundational elements in modernizing Haiti’s public procurement systems.

In a significant administrative move, Haiti’s Interior Ministry has formally established a new governing body for its capital city. On February 11, 2026, Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the freshly appointed Port-au-Prince Municipal Commission at the Ministry’s Delmas 60 headquarters.

The commission, comprising President Yves Andrel Salomon (functioning as mayor) alongside deputies Dorothé Ignace Morel and Esther Cinéas, assumes authority during a period of substantial challenges for the capital. Their appointment, initially decreed by the Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Fils-Aimé on February 7, 2026, signifies a strategic effort to stabilize municipal governance.

The installation event witnessed the presence of key government figures, including Ketlène Jean Louis, Director General of the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), senior ministry officials, and representatives from the National Federation of CASECS of Haiti (FENACAH).

In his address, Director General Pierre Canisius Guignard emphasized that this leadership transition stems from a commitment to address the legitimate needs and aspirations of Port-au-Prince residents, specifically through the enhanced delivery of quality public services. The Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT) has expressed strong expectations for the new commission to implement local public policies aimed at revitalizing the city and restoring its former pride. The executive agents are urged to operate with both effectiveness and efficiency.

Minister Bien-Aimé formally presented the official confirmation of appointments to the new members, aligning with the decree that establishes this municipal commission. This body is tasked with managing the capital’s affairs on an interim basis until the next scheduled elections.

A critical directive for the new council is to prioritize the acute needs of the population, with particular attention to the most vulnerable communities, including those residing in camps for displaced persons. The Ministry has pledged its full support to the municipal executive agents, aiming to boost operational performance and fortify the institutional framework of the municipality during this pivotal period.

In a significant move to uphold judicial integrity, Haiti’s Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) has issued a formal resolution reinforcing the prohibition of political activities for all magistrates nationwide. Dated February 10, 2026 (CSPJ-SP/02-2026/88), the directive emphasizes that judicial officers must maintain absolute political neutrality to preserve the credibility of Haiti’s legal institutions.

The resolution explicitly cites constitutional provisions, judicial statutes, and ethical codes that form the legal foundation for this reinforcement. It articulates that any political involvement by judges inherently compromises their impartiality and undermines public confidence in the judicial system. The document further reminds magistrates of their ‘strict obligation of discretion and political neutrality’ as cornerstones of their professional conduct.

Specific articles within the resolution mandate that all judges, regardless of rank or jurisdiction, must refrain from participating in political activities and remain outside the political arena. Additionally, magistrates are instructed to avoid any behavior, statements, or actions that could diminish their impartiality or tarnish the dignity of the judicial institution.

The resolution establishes concrete consequences for violations, stating that any failure to comply with these obligations will subject offenders to disciplinary sanctions under applicable laws. The document was formally ratified in Pétion-Ville and bears the signatures of eight CSPJ members, including President Mag. Jean-Joseph Lebrun and Vice-President Mag. Barthélemy Alténor.

This development occurs amid ongoing efforts to strengthen Haiti’s judicial independence and comes at a critical juncture in the nation’s political landscape, where separation of powers remains paramount to democratic stability.