[1][2] Manigat, who won the military-controlled 1988 general election, had taken office on 7 February.

On 14 June 1988, a number of military reassignments were made by Henri Namphy, including transferring Colonel Jean-Claude Paul to army headquarters and making him Assistant Head of the General Staff.

[2] Paul telephoned President Leslie Manigat to protest the move, and the following day Manigat issued a statement cancelling the changes, and saying that he, as constitutional head of the Armed Forces of Haiti, had not been consulted.

[2] On 19 June Manigat retired Namphy, saying he had been preparing a coup.

[2] On 20 June Namphy ousted Manigat in a coup d'état, declaring himself President with Col. Jean-Claude Paul at his side.