On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the National Palace, Edgard Leblanc Fils, President of the Transitional Council, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Garry Conille and members of his Government, including the Minister of Defense, Jean Marc Berthier Antoine, as well as the Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police, Normil Rameau, proceeded with the installation of the new interim Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H). Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier, replacing Commander Jodel Lesage, who spent 7 years at the head of the FAd'H.

"..] I have just pinned the rank of Lieutenant General to Brigadier General Derby Guerrier on the occasion of his installation as the new Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti" declared Edgard Leblanc Fils, President of the Transitional Council.

"It is an honor for me to receive this rank and this responsibility at this time for our country. I am committed to strengthening the discipline, professionalism and efficiency of our armed forces, while remaining faithful to republican values ​​and the defense of our sovereignty", said Lieutenant General Guerrier.

Speech by the President of the Transitional Council, by Edgard Leblanc Fils :

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Presidential Transitional Council, it falls to me, on this morning of August 20, 2024, the high responsibility of proceeding with the installation of the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti, Brigadier General Derby Guerrier, promoted, on this occasion, to Lieutenant General. Upon the remobilization of the Haitian Armed Forces by the late President Jovenel Moïse, Colonel Derby Guerrier was called on March 6, 2018 to return to the ranks of the Army as head of G4 logistics of the General Staff alongside his comrades from the 1974-1976 class : Jodel Lessage, 2nd in the class, Jean Jonas, Jean Robert Gabriel, Emmanuel Azémar. He then resigned from his position as Head of Security Agents of the Provisional Electoral Council, which he had held since 2008. Colonel Delby Guerrier thus responded to the call of history.

I would like to pay special tribute here to the enlightened vision of Lieutenant General Jodel Lessage who took the reins of the Armed Forces of Haiti, in a situation that was not favorable to its remobilization both internally and externally, and led them with moderation until this fateful moment of marked instability, of war of armed gangs against the population. Indeed, hit by an embargo following the coup d'état of 1991, the FAd'H were stigmatized and then demobilized, by decree, on January 6, 1995.

Under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Jodel Lessage, the Armed Forces of Haiti have won public recognition. With the help of the security crisis, they have come to fail to respond to the call of the suffering people, victims of atrocities by gangs, who terrorize the population, destabilize the State, and undermine the National Police of Haiti, the only institution in charge of the security of the Nation.

The Armed Forces of Haiti have been able to regain the trust of the population, to remind the international community of their usefulness, by proving their usefulness. They are the ones who protect the Bank of the Republic of Haiti, the port and the airport of the capital. Reinforced in their capacities in terms of personnel and equipment, they will come, alongside the National Police, to restore security and peace throughout the national territory for the happiness of the Haitian people.

Mr. Lieutenant General, outgoing Commander-in-Chief, on behalf of the Haitian people, on behalf of the Presidential Transitional Council, I thank you for all the service rendered to the common homeland.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Mr. Commander-in-Chief,

You are taking over the leadership of the FAd'H at a decisive turning point in national life marked by a multidimensional crisis grafted onto chronic insecurity threatening the foundations of the Nation. I am counting on your dynamism, your experience of electoral issues, your knowledge of the military institution to launch, with the National Police, assisted by the Multinational Security Support Mission, the major battles against insecurity, but also and above all for the stability of institutions, the restoration of the rule of law, factors essential to economic and social progress.

I take this opportunity to salute all the partners who have developed cooperation with the Armed Forces of Haiti by providing technical assistance in training or equipment.

The recruitment competition launched by the Ministry of Defense contributes to the strengthening of this institution that created the State of Haiti, after having led the only successful slave revolt in universal history. Haiti cannot be conceived without its army.

Officers, Soldiers of the FAd'H,

You are heirs to this Army of national independence that changed the face of the world. Be proud of it ! The problems of the moment will be overcome and the Armed Forces of Haiti will fully play its role in building this new country that we all dream of.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. Commander-in-Chief,

I would like to invite you to learn the lessons of demobilization and ensure that the Armed Forces of Haiti are a professional, disciplined army, scrupulously respecting the supremacy of civil power over the military institution.

The Haitian people who have suffered so much in their flesh, in their spirit, in their property, the Presidential Transitional Council, the Government of the Republic expect the FAd'H, in concert with the PNH supported by the MMSS, to eradicate the armed bands from the national environment, thus consolidating all other and multiple efforts to definitively place the country on the path to sustainable development.

TOMORROW, ANOTHER COUNTRY!

Thank you for your attention."

HL/ HaitiLibre