Career
Early political career
A longtime politician, he first served as the economics and finance minister under Jean-Bertrand Aristide during 2001 and 2002. Aristide reappointed him Minister of Interior and Territorial Communities in 2002 and served until 2004 Haitian coup d"état that removed Aristide from the presidency. False accusation of massacre and incarceration
Privert was falsely accused of involvement in the Louisiana Scierie massacre in Saint-Marc and arrested on 4 April 2004.
Jocelerme Privert was released after 26 months in prison.
Later political career
After his release from prison, he served as an advisor to René Préval, then-president He ran for a senate seat in a 2008 by-election, but was not elected.
He was later elected Senator for Nippes Department in the 2010 election, serving from 26 April 2011 and until he was elected by the Senate to serve as its president He is also the President of the Senate Committee on Economy and Finance.
Interim presidency
Privert was elected by the Senate as the interim President of Haiti on 14 February 2016, pending a general election in no more than 120 days.
A general runoff election between Jovenel Moise and Jude Célestin will be held on 20 April 2016.