L’Organisation du Peuple en Lutte (OPL) has announced its decision to withdraw from the January 30 Collectif.
This announcement marks a significant moment in Haiti’s political landscape as the OPL redefines its strategic orientations.
In an official press release signed by its “Executif Transitional Committee” (CENP) and addressed to several political leaders, including Jean André Victor (MOPOD), Liné Balthazar (PHTK), Clarens Renois (UNIR), Himmler Rébu (GREH), Jean Hector Anacacis (LAPEH), and Rodolphe Joazile (KONSYANS PATRIYOTIK), the OPL stated that it no longer sees any reason to continue collaborating with the aforementioned parties. The new leadership of the OPL declared that “the path taken to date with the Collectif has come to an end.” This decision was prompted by “new orientations” reported in the media, suggesting a misalignment between the current priorities of the Collectif and those of the OPL.
The OPL’s decision comes shortly after one of the leaders of the January 30 Collectif advocated for the inclusion of armed gang leaders in discussions aimed at resolving the Haitian crisis.
In an interview with Radio Magic 9, Liné Balthazar, a leader of the Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale (PHTK), asserted that gang groups affiliated with the “ViV Ansanm” coalition must have a seat at the negotiation table.
A letter signed by the leaders of the Collectif and sent to CARICOM explicitly called for the inclusion of these criminal groups in the talks.
Before making its decision public, the OPL informed the members of the Collectif out of respect for the partnership that had united the two entities in their efforts to address Haiti’s ongoing crisis, according to the OPL’s interim leadership.
However, the new leadership of the party has not called for the resignation of Edgard Leblanc Fils from the Collège Présidentiel de Transition (CPT).
Edgard Leblanc, a former coordinator of the OPL, represented the party within the January 30 Collectif, which had appointed him to the CPT.
When asked by CTN, an OPL official clarified that the party had no grounds to demand Edgard Leblanc’s resignation, as it had not given him a formal mandate to represent it on the CPT.
Signatories to the Communiqué
The communiqué was signed by key members of the Comité Exécutif National Provisoire, including:
Mac Donald Jean, General Coordinator (a.i.)
Gérard Métellus, National Executive Secretary (a.i.)
Renande Nancy Richard, Organizational Coordinator (a.i.)
Sanozier François, Treasurer (a.i.)
José Joseph, Communications Coordinator (a.i.)
These individuals are instrumental in the party’s reorientation and in defining its new strategic roadmap following the withdrawal of Edgard Leblanc from party coordination.
Implications for Haiti’s Political Landscape
The OPL’s withdrawal from the January 30 Collectif could significantly impact Haiti’s political dynamics, especially in the context of ongoing efforts to resolve the national crisis.
This departure signals a potential reshaping of political alliances and a reorganization of strategies among the parties involved in the Collectif. Other parties may also consider withdrawing, which could further weaken the agreement established between the political groupings to form a transitional government.