CARICOM EPG Urges Urgent Consensus Ahead of End of Haiti’s Transitional Council

 The Caribbean Community’s Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has expressed concern over delays among Haitian stakeholders in reaching agreement on a new transitional governance arrangement, with the mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council set to expire on February 7, 2026.

In a statement dated January 9, the EPG said it has continued to render its good offices to Haitian stakeholders as they confront Haiti’s ongoing political, security and institutional crises. The group noted that despite sustained efforts by CARICOM and the wider international community to support a Haitian-led process, stakeholders have been slow to “find common ground and coalesce around a Haitian-led consensual agreement on an alternative transitional process,” even though several public proposals share points of convergence.

Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council was established in 2024 with the support of CARICOM and international partners following the collapse of elected governance and deepening instability. The council comprises representatives drawn from political parties, civil society, the private sector, and other national stakeholders, and was mandated to stabilise the country, address worsening insecurity, reform key institutions, and pave the way for credible national elections as part of a return to constitutional rule.

“The EPG calls on the stakeholders to demonstrate patriotism above all other sentiments if Haitians are to determine their own destiny,” the statement said.

The EPG warned that failure to reach consensus before the February 7 deadline could carry serious consequences for the country. “It is vital that stakeholders, civil society and the people of Haiti reach a consensus before 7 February 2026,” the group said, cautioning that “a failure to do so could lead to unwanted repercussions.”

Emphasising the urgency of the moment, the EPG stressed that time is rapidly running out, urging Haitian stakeholders to act decisively to secure an agreed transitional framework before the current council’s mandate expires.