Haiti’s PM reshuffles Cabinet

Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe

Tue, August 07, 2012 - 1:16 PM

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has re-shuffled his Cabinet, nearly three months after being sworn in as head of the government in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

An official statement issued late last night gave no reasons behind the re-shuffle, but Prime Minister Lamothe will no longer serve as foreign minister. However, he has added the portfolios of planning and external cooperation to his duties.

Lamothe will succeed Gary Conille, who resigned from the post in February after repeated clashes with Martelly. His sudden resignation brought the government to a standstill, as Haiti's prime minister acts as the day-to-day head of government.

The government announced six new portfolios with the new foreign minister being Richard Casimir, while Thierry Mayard-Paul, a close confidant of President Martelly, who served as his chief of staff, is being replaced by former Minister of Social Affairs Ronsard Saint-Cyr.

It is unclear what role Mayard-Paul will play in the country’s governance.

Other changes include former planning minister Josefa Gauthier, who is is now Minister of Social Affairs with the Education Minister being Vanneur Pierre and Jean Vilmond Hilaire as Minister of the Environment. (CMC)