Thursday at the National Palace, President Jovenel Moïse on the sidelines of the 36th Council of Ministers, in the presence of members of the ministerial cabinet proceeded to the inauguration and the presentation of Jean Michel Lapin as new acting Prime Minister.

It should be noted that in the history of Haiti it is a first that the same day is published the presidential decree of appointment in the official journal Le Moniteur #42 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27239-haiti-flash-appointment-of-an-interim-prime-minister.html and that is installed a interim Prime Minister. Jean Michel Lapin also retains his post of Minister of Culture.

Addressing the Ministers, the Head of State declared "I have the honor to present to you the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Michel Lapin, who replaces former Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant, as you know which was demissed following a motion of censure on March 18, 2019 by the assembly of the deputies" (without a word to congratulate Céant, absent at this ceremony for the 6 months spent to manage the government) "By his constancy, dedication and professionalism, he deserves the confidence I have placed in him."

Addressing Jean Michel Lapin "As Acting Prime Minister, you must, as stated in Article 165 of the Constitution, dispatch the current affairs of the State until the ratification of a new Prime Minister by Parliament." To the ministers he reminded them "You are going to settle the current affairs with him, but it requires a lot of sense of responsibility..."

A few hours after the investiture, convinced to still be Prime Minister in office despite the vote of censure of the lower House which revoked him https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27219-haiti-flash-haiti-has-no-more-government.html and having filed the day before a lawsuit against the Chamber of Deputies https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27247-haiti-flash-interpellation-majority-divergence-in-the-senate-the-pm-seized-justice.html , Jean-Henry Céant, handed his resignation to the President of the Republic while he is no longer in the Government !

Letter from Jean-Henry Céant :

"Port-au-Prince, March 21, 2018

Mr. Jovenel Moïse

President of the Republic of Haiti

National Palace,

Mr President,

I just read in the offical gazettz "Le Moniteur" #42 of March 21, 2019, the appointment of Mr. Jean Michel Lapin as Prime Minister ai to liquidate the current affairs.

I took note of it. To avoid the country, which is so in need of peace, a constitutional confusion, I have the advantage of giving my resignation as prime minister.

This decision dates from the signing of this letter.

Accept, Excellency, the President of the Republic, the expression of my deep respect.

Patriotically !

Me Jean-Henry Céant"

It is not clear from this letter of resignation, if Ceant will abandon the lawsuits filed against the decision of the Chamber of Deputies.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27247-haiti-flash-interpellation-majority-divergence-in-the-senate-the-pm-seized-justice.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27239-haiti-flash-appointment-of-an-interim-prime-minister.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27219-haiti-flash-haiti-has-no-more-government.html

SL/ HaitiLibre