Haiti’s Pitit Dessalin political party has written to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres seeking clarification over allegations made against its leader, former senator Moïse Jean-Charles.
The allegations were contained in a report by the Panel of Experts on Haiti. According to the Caribbean Media Corporation report published by Caribbean Times, the panel accused Jean-Charles of running or influencing an illicit network associated with Haiti’s glass eel trade.
The report said the alleged network influenced export permits, customs oversight, harvesting and commercialisation, with connections to wider regional smuggling networks.
The political party’s letter brings the dispute to the attention of the United Nations at a time when Haiti faces substantial political and security challenges.
The report also noted that Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council had approved Pitit Dessalin, along with two other political organisations, to contest elections scheduled for December 13.
The allegations remain allegations and should not be presented as proven criminal conduct. The party’s position and any response from the United Nations or other authorities need to be considered alongside the original report.
The issue is significant because it connects political accountability, election participation and concerns about illicit economic activity in Haiti.
