Overview:
Though Ronald Célicourt, director of the Nationwide Port Authority (APN) in northern Haiti, isn’t well-liked within the city, some residents of Cap-Haïtien violently protested on Thursday, Sept. 18, once they realized that the central authorities may exchange him quickly. Law enforcement officials had been despatched to disperse the gang, and gunshots had been heard. Nevertheless, no accidents or deaths had been reported as protesters demonstrated in gentle rain on Thursday, Sept. 18.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Dozens of demonstrators set tires on hearth Thursday exterior the Nationwide Port Authority (APN) in Cap-Haïtien, protesting rumors that northern departmental director Ronald Célicourt would get replaced. Police responded to the scene as gunshots rang out, although no deaths or main accidents had been reported.
Roughly 50 protesters, together with APN staff and political activists, gathered underneath gentle rainfall on Sept. 18. Dozens of demonstrators once more protested in entrance of APN on Sept. 19.
Some protesters argued Célicourt has been doing “work that not even the mayor is doing” and warned that his removing might disrupt port actions.
“Okap is one other place, Okap shouldn’t be straightforward,” Jean Gesner Géffrard, a northern chief of the Pitit Dessalines political occasion, instructed native reporter Guyno Duverné throughout the protest. “If you happen to suppose you possibly can come do demagogy in our division, it’s a must to undergo us first.”
The federal government has not confirmed whether or not Célicourt shall be changed. Protesters claimed that former APN Normal Director Jocelyn Villier had requested Célicourt’s switch to Port-au-Prince shortly earlier than Villier was dismissed amid corruption allegations. Villier has not commented publicly.
On the identical day because the protest, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) introduced new appointments at a number of state establishments, together with Evens Charles as APN’s new basic director, Elysée Colagène on the Nationwide Training Fund (FNE), and Gérald Remplais on the Normal Administration of Customs.
Célicourt’s controversial file
Whereas the present of assist for Célicourt shocked many, he has confronted heavy criticism since taking the northern APN put up in June 2024. Residents have accused him of embezzlement and nepotism for allegedly hiring a number of kin on the port, although no proof has been offered. Célicourt has been constructing a house in Richardville, a hilly neighborhood in Cap-Haïtien, at a particularly quick tempo, elevating questions on his supply of revenue.
Residents additionally accuse Célicourt of paying demonstrators to protest in his favor. Lots of the demonstrators are males from low-income neighborhoods who sometimes participate in protests.
Simply 5 days earlier than the protest, the In style Affiliation of the North, an activist group, despatched a letter to Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) accusing Célicourt of corruption. “Arrest Ronald Célicourt,” one activist shouted throughout the demonstration.
One member of the group, Davilmar Moncius, stated he was bodily assaulted on the day of the protest and blamed Célicourt, in line with Comactu.
Residents have additionally complained of mismanagement underneath Célicourt’s management, alleging that APN providers have deteriorated. Célicourt, who ran unsuccessfully for deputy of Dondon in 2016, has not responded to a request for remark concerning the accusations.
It stays unclear who would succeed him if he’s faraway from his put up. On Sept. 16, simply two days earlier than the protest, Moïse Cadet was appointed assistant director of APN within the northern area.