On Tuesday, the Transition Presidential Committee in Haiti appointed former Prime Minister Garry Conille with a vote of 6 in favor and 1 against. Conille, who previously served as a regional director at UNICEF, is considered to bring valuable experience in development to consolidate international support. The appointment is hoped to lead the Caribbean nation towards restoring order from the severe gang violence that has plagued the country.
Last October, the UN Security Council approved the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force led by Kenya to assist Haiti in quelling the surging gang violence. However, the deployment was delayed following the eruption of gang riots at the end of February. The advance team of the peacekeeping force arrived in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on the 20th of this month.
The Transition Presidential Committee stated on the 21st that the UN-authorized Haiti Multinational Security Assistance Mission is set to be fully deployed by the end of May, with the Haitian National Police overseeing the force.
Edgard Leblanc, the Chairman of the Transition Committee, announced on social media platform X that after discussions and taking into consideration the opinions of the Prime Minister candidates, they unanimously elected Dr. Garry Conille to lead the government during the transition period.
Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Chairman of the Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulated Conille, stating, “I offer you my sincerest congratulations. I am still a patriot who believes in our country. Long live Haiti!”
At 58 years old, Conille previously served as Prime Minister of Haiti in 2011 but resigned seven months later after losing the support of the cabinet and clashing with then-President Michel Martelly. Conille and Martelly had disagreements over reconstruction contracts following the 2010 earthquake and investigations into politicians holding dual nationality.
Haiti remains one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with rampant gang dominance controlling 80% of the capital’s areas. Following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, Haiti was left in a power vacuum, leading to an increase in gang activities and violent crimes.
Since the end of February this year, Haiti has experienced large-scale upheaval instigated by gang organizations. Under the pressure of gang threats and public protests, former Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation. The Transition Presidential Committee officially assumed power on April 25.
The Transition Presidential Committee consists of 7 council members and 2 non-voting observers. The committee elects a chairman through voting and appoints a Prime Minister to organize the cabinet.
During the transitional period before the elected president takes office, the committee holds specific interim presidential powers and is tasked with organizing elections according to the Haitian constitution by February 7, 2026.
(Reference: Reuters)