[4] Following the fall of the government headed by President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier, who fled the country with his family in 1986, Lieutenant General Namphy became president of the interim governing council, made up of six civilian and military members, which promised elections and democratic reforms.

Namphy, who enjoyed a reputation for being honest[3] and apolitical, had trouble in his early weeks in power; Haitians ceased their celebrations over the departure of Duvalier and started rioting and looting.

In March 1986, as violence swept the capital, Port-au-Prince, the popular justice minister resigned from the ruling council and Namphy dismissed three other members who had close ties with the Duvalier regime.

[2] An election held in October for a constituent assembly to prepare a draft constitution reflected a lack of public interest in determining the country's political future.

Namphy remained in power until 17 September 1988, when he was deposed by a group of young officers organized by General Prosper Avril.