Top Haitian leaders negotiated an agreement to install a short-term provisional government less than 24 hours before President Michel Martelly was scheduled to step down, an official with the Organization of American States and local authorities announced Saturday. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, special OAS mission leader Ronald Sanders said the interim president will be elected by Parliament for a term of up to 120 days. He said Prime Minister Evans Paul will remain in his position until lawmakers are able to confirm a prime minister by consensus in upcoming days. The caretaker government will ensure a new Provisional Electoral Council is in place to conclude an election cycle that began last year. The plan calls for a presidential and legislative runoff to be held on April 24, with a newly elected president to be installed on May 14 for a five-year term. “The country now has an opportunity for a fresh start,” Sanders said, adding that Parliament would invite nominations for an interim president soon.
The deal, if it holds, will prevent an institutional vacuum when Martelly leaves office on Sunday and creates a roadmap for an elected leader to replace him in a few months. But there was no break in opposition protests in the crowded capital Saturday and recent violence suggests discord is likely to continue.
“We have to stay vigilant because certain people disagree with this accord,” a somber-looking Martelly said in brief comments after an afternoon signing ceremony with legislative leaders at the National Palace. Just outside, a crowd of anti-government protesters threw rocks at riot police and chanted for the president’s immediate ouster as they’ve done repeatedly in recent days.
Sanders said the deal was signed overnight following “very animated” and occasionally heated negotiations on Friday between Martelly, the two leaders of Haiti’s bicameral legislature and numerous lawmakers. Sanders, an Antiguan diplomat who is mission leader and chairman of the 35-nation OAS’ permanent council, said Martelly remained “cool throughout the process.”
Full Article: AP NewsBreak: Deal reached on provisional Haiti government – The Washington Post.
The Voting News
A News Service of the Verified Voting Foundation
