Efforts to establish a transitional government in Haiti face mounting challenges. Delegates tasked with forming the council are deadlocked over leadership, while the country grapples with a worsening security crisis.
The Caribbean nation has been embroiled in political turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who took office in the aftermath, promised to resign upon the establishment of a transitional council. However, two weeks after that announcement, the council itself remains incomplete.
The body, supported by the United Nations and regional bloc CARICOM, is designed to appoint an interim government and pave the way for fresh elections. Its composition, initially including seven voting members and two non-voting members representing political parties, civil society and others, has already undergone changes.
Haiti’s former ambassador to UNESCO, Dominique Dupuy, the sole female representative on the council, stepped down due to threats and harassment. Her replacement, Smith Augustin, adds another layer of uncertainty to the already strained negotiations.
The main obstacle remains the selection of the council’s leader. While progress has reportedly been made on other key points, agreement on who will lead the council remains elusive. Delegates are scheduled to meet with CARICOM representatives virtually to finalize an installation agreement, with the hope of electing a leader by Monday evening.
Meanwhile, the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate. Gang violence has gripped the capital, Port-au-Prince, with recent clashes disrupting essential services. The United Nations reports limited access to humanitarian aid, with less than half of the city’s healthcare facilities functioning normally. This has prompted several countries to evacuate their citizens from the volatile nation.
As Haiti navigates its political deadlock, the deepening security crisis adds another layer of urgency to the need for a functioning transitional government. Whether a resolution can be reached and stability restored remains to be seen.
