The speech I wish I had heard on April 3rd by the President of the CPT

Two days ago, Fritz Alphonse Jean, President pro tempore of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), addressed the nation. While his remarks acknowledged the seriousness of the moment, I wanted to hear more.

In this time of deep national crisis, communication must be direct, courageous, and unifying—reaching Haitians both at home and throughout the diaspora. What follows is the speech I wish I had heard: a bold, comprehensive plan rooted in accountability, national unity, and the will to overcome.

My fellow Haitians, both at home and abroad,

We are standing at a defining moment in our nation's history. Haiti is facing a crisis that is more urgent and dangerous than anything we have seen before—one that threatens not only Port-au-Prince but also the very foundation of our society.

Across the globe, Haitians and friends of Haiti watch with broken hearts as our homeland struggles under the weight of violence and fear. In a world where people of African ancestry face increasing racism and displacement, we reaffirm Haiti’s founding promise: to serve as a sanctuary for all people of African descent. That commitment still stands—firm and unwavering—for Haitians and all people of African and especially Haitian ancestry.

I know that for many of you, the thought of getting involved in politics feels like stepping into something broken beyond repair—something dangerous and dirty. I understand that feeling. I understand your hesitation, your frustration, and even your disgust. These are rational responses; they are shaped by a long history of betrayal and disappointment.

But even so, they are not reasons to surrender your citizenship or your humanity—your MOUNITE.

Whatever our differences, whatever the pains of the past, this moment demands that we come together. More than any time since our nation’s founding, unity is our only path forward. Only in union will we find the strength to confront and overcome this security crisis.

As President of the Transitional Presidential Council, I stand before you with humility and unwavering determination. You have had to run away from your homes and live in fear as armed gangs attack us from all corners. On March 31st, a few days ago, they attacked Mirebalais—burning buildings, terrorizing families, and forcing peaceful citizens to flee before security forces could intervene.

This is not the message I hoped to deliver on the first anniversary of the April 3rd Accord, which established our transitional government. That agreement gave us a roadmap. But the ground beneath us has shifted. As our nation teeters on the edge of becoming a narco-state controlled by those who hate the nation, our most urgent mission must now be the restoration of public safety. That is the mission.

Security is not a privilege—it is the foundation of any functioning society. It means being safe in your home, sending your children to school without fear, and living freely in your own homes and community.

We hear you—your protests, your cries for help, your demand for protection. And you are right to demand it.

I also acknowledge the deep mistrust many of you feel toward the Transitional Presidential Council. That mistrust is real, and I do not shy away from it. But let me be clear: another transition is not the answer. The hour is late, and the stakes are too high. The only path forward is together.

We must defeat the forces trying to destroy our republic. These gangs pretend to be revolutionaries, but they leave behind only rape, murder, and destruction.

There are no two ways about it: these criminals and their supporters are not revolutionaries. They are killers. They are rapists. They spread terror through our communities. They destroy lives and shatter dreams. And I promise you this: they will not define Haiti's future.

In my role as President of the Council, I pledge to mobilize every available resource to defeat these criminal forces. But the government or the police or the military alone cannot win this fight. This must be a national effort that unites all Haitians.

Let me share our comprehensive strategy and the vital role each of you will play in its success:

First, we are reinforcing our security forces by integrating members of the Protected Areas Surveillance Brigade (BSAP) into the military. Every recruit will undergo a strict vetting process. Anyone with ties to criminal activity will be rejected. This is a practical and necessary response to the extraordinary circumstances we are in.

Second, we are expanding recruitment beyond the capital. We will work hand-in-hand with respected local leaders who know their community best. They can help us to enlist potential recruits. We will train new officers from every region of the country to integrate our security forces so they serve and help protect their communities and country. This is a national fight, and every region must be engaged—because, as we saw in Mirebalais, the gangs will not stop at Port-au-Prince. No community is safe unless we act together and we are all safe.

Third, we need your help as citizens. We understand many of you live in communities controlled by gangs—not by choice, but as innocent hostages. This position, though dangerous, gives you critical awareness of what moves in and out of your neighborhoods. Your contribution to our national effort is simple but powerful: safely and anonymously share information about weapons trafficking or gang activity. A single tip could prevent an attack. One moment of courage could save hundreds of lives - maybe yours and your loved ones. We have established a secure anonymous hotline specifically for reporting such information, with protocols designed to protect your identity.

Fourth, we will nationalize Haiti's private security firms and assign them to protect key infrastructure—roads, hospitals, energy plants, and other strategic assets. Once an area is cleared by the police and military, we will leave behind a permanent force of trained security guards and police officers to maintain safety.

Fifth, we have revoked all existing contracts with private operators and taken full control of Haiti’s ports for reasons of national security. To provide tighter control and oversight, we have partnered with a global firm to manage security and logistics at every port, with a clear mission: to cut off the illegal flow of weapons. We have also signed an agreement with an international security firm to provide advanced surveillance technology and specialized personnel to strengthen patrols along our border with the Dominican Republic—a known entry point for illegal weapons and ammunition that fuel gang violence. This partnership will significantly enhance our ability to intercept smuggled arms before they reach criminal hands.

Finally, we are in active discussions with our regional partners to strengthen maritime patrols along our coasts and prevent illegal arms from reaching our shores.

But this fight does not belong to those of us inside Haiti alone.

To our brothers and sisters in the diaspora—your country needs you now. Haiti must be your safe haven. Whether you are a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident in another country, the risk of detention, deportation, or even being held in a third-country maximum-security facility is real. The one place that belongs to you—without question—is Haiti. Lakay se lakay!

To harness the wealth of talent in our diaspora, we are launching a specialized recruitment program for former military personnel, law enforcement officers, and security professionals living abroad. This initiative creates a direct channel for you to return and serve Haiti with your valuable expertise. Your specialized training and international experience are precisely what we need to rebuild and strengthen our national defense forces during this critical time.

We are also making difficult but necessary financial decisions to fund this emergency response. We understand that education is vital to our children's future. However, our children cannot receive an education while living under the constant threat of violence. They cannot learn when they fear being killed, even while sitting in their classrooms—if they can reach school at all. This is why we will temporarily redirect a portion of the National Education Fund to enhance public safety, including hiring more Educational Community Police Officers (EduPOL) to secure our schools. We are also asking our patriots abroad to increase their solidarity contribution on money transfers from $1.50 to $2.50, with the additional dollar directly funding our security operations. This small increase represents a meaningful investment in Haiti's immediate safety and long-term recovery.

I know the diaspora has long-standing concerns about how funds are managed. That is why we have revised the governance structures to ensure full transparency and accountability. These changes include:

• A majority-diaspora oversight board, composed of experts in finance and education, will monitor every dollar spent by the National Education Fund.

• Diaspora representatives with experience in security will sit on the National Security and Defense Council.

• Monthly public reports will show exactly how the funds are being used and the results they are producing.

I do not stand before you today simply as a government official. I speak as a Haitian—a son, a father, a neighbor, a citizen who loves this country beyond words.

Yes, the road ahead will be long and difficult. But we are no strangers to hard roads.

This moment demands more than speeches or criticism. It demands unity. It demands courage. It demands action—now, not later.

The next chapter of our history is being written before our eyes. Our participation will determine whether Haiti survives—or whether, in the eyes of the world, this island is once again called “Saint-Domingue,” but without the Republic of Haiti.

Saving our Republic is not just a political duty—it is a sacred obligation. We must do it to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, to protect the lives of our children, and to preserve hope for generations yet to come. I have taken up that charge. And I ask you to join me.

With this plan and your support, we will pursue every enemy of Haiti—whether they are gang members in the streets or corrupt power brokers in air-conditioned offices, whether they carry weapons or wield political influence, whether they belong to the economic elite or claim to represent the people. No one who harms this nation will find refuge from justice. The rule of law must apply to all, regardless of status or connections.

This is our moment—our 1803.

Let us rise and meet it.

May our ancestors give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to defend our people, restore our dignity, and rebuild our nation. Our ancestors fought for freedom. Now we fight for our safety, for our unity, and our future.

May God bless Haiti!