In a brief statement following the meeting, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said the regional leaders sought “an update on coordination between the interim government and the TPC.”

   Last week, the regional leaders said they were concerned at the ongoing rift between the head of the TPC, Leslie Voltaire, and Prime Minister Conille.

   “This growing lack of cohesion imperils the transitional process based on the spirit and the principles of compromise, consensus, and inclusiveness set out in the Political Agreement of 11 March 2024 in Jamaica and the Political Accord of 3 April 2024 drawn up by the Haitian stakeholders,” CARICOM said in a statement then, adding that this “unseemly and distracting conflict is taking place at a time when the insecurity and humanitarian crises are deteriorating gravely.”

   In its statement on Friday, the CARICOM Secretariat said that the meeting with the Haitian leaders “follows a series of talks between the Eminent Persons Group with members of the TPC and the interim government.”

   The EPG is chaired by former Saint Lucia prime minister Kenny Anthony and includes Bruce Golding, the former Jamaica prime minister, and Perry Christie, the former prime minister of the Bahamas.

   “CARICOM continues to actively engage with the Executive leadership of the Republic of Haiti on the advancement of the transitional governance process and continues to support Haitian-led efforts towards strengthening Haitian governance mechanisms and preparations for free and fair elections,” the brief CARICOM statement added.

   Last Friday, Voltaire, in a nationwide radio and television broadcast, gave a mixed assessment of the first six months of the transition and of the main projects in progress.

   His address reviewed the security situation in the French-speaking CARICOM country, the efforts made to improve the judicial system, the management of public finances, and the adoption of the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 budgets.

   He also spoke about the preparations for the next elections and the reform of the Constitution, among others.

   Media reports in Haiti said Prime Minister Conille has refused the TPC head’s request to reshuffle the existing cabinet. Voltaire reportedly asked for the removal of the Ministers of foreign affairs, Haitians living abroad, Justice, Planning, Defense, Public Health, and Interior.