Haiti’s Path Under its Transitional Council

The transitional council poses for a group photo after the ceremony to name its president and a prime minister in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 30, 2024. Image Source: AP Photo/ Odelyn Joesph

On April 25, Haiti’s transitional council officially took over, signaling the formalization of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation. The transitional government is set to govern until the next presidential election, expected by February 7, 2026.

The United Nations approved this transitional council over six months ago, and subsequent developments have aligned with these expectations. 

This transition occurs amid a backdrop of escalating gang control and violence in Haiti’s capital. Regina Abraham, a nonvoting council member, described the dire situation: “Port-au-Prince residents have literally ‘been taken hostage.’ Facing this unprecedented crisis, the entire population has recognized the urgent need for a firm hand to guide us from this spiral of despair and destruction."

According to the United Nations, gang violence has surged, with over 2,500 people killed or injured from January to March 2024. Port-au-Prince has suffered significantly, with hospitals vandalized and essential supplies destroyed.

A protestor carries a piece of wood simulating a weapon during a protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 3, 2023. Image Source: AP Photo/ Odelyn Joseph

Gang leaders are now demanding representation on the new committee. Vitel’Homme Innocent, a gang leader, warned that exclusion from the council would prompt gangs to seek other means to assert influence.

Despite these tensions, the council announced it would vote for the next president on Tuesday. The vote ultimately ended with the choosing of more than just a president; a new prime minister was also named. However, internal divisions persist, as four out of seven council members have already supported Fritz Bélizaire for prime minister.

The Montana Accord, represented by some council members, accused "political and economic mafia forces" of seizing control of the presidential council and government to maintain their grip on state power.

The population remains dissatisfied with these developments, perceiving the council’s actions as potentially exacerbating the situation.

Robert Hatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia, criticized the council’s effectiveness: "It's a contradiction. Whenever we seem to be in a crisis, we reappoint the same people and hope they change their ways, but they do not.”

There are still hopes that a stable and effective election will be able to take place in 2026 with the help of the United Nations. Since last year, the United Nations deployed a multi-national security mission to help the lawlessness prevalent in Haiti since 2021 when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated.

Yet, the resistance in Haiti has prolonged much of the progress intended to occur. The United Nations was supposed to lead the mission and deploy over 1,000 personnel. 

 The international community's role in supporting Haiti during this transition is critical, as external aid and strategic diplomatic engagements can help bolster the legitimacy and efficacy of the transitional government.

The situation in Haiti poses significant challenges and opportunities for foreign policy, particularly for nations invested in Caribbean stability. The formation of the transitional government, under U.N. oversight, indicates an international commitment to restoring order and democratic processes in Haiti.

However, the inclusion of gang leaders in political processes and the internal discord within the transitional council highlight the complexities of building sustainable peace and governance structures. This scenario underscores the need for a multifaceted approach that combines security, diplomacy, and development aid to ensure a stable transition.